About Us
We help people create real chances to make positive changes for themselves and their communities
Who we are
Galway Rural Development is a Local Development Company working in rural county Galway. We work with people, community groups, and other agencies to improve the quality of life for all in our area. We especially work with those most in need of support. We help people create real chances to make positive changes for themselves and their communities.
What we do
GRD is responsible for the delivery of a range of rural enterprise, social inclusion and community development initiatives across the East of County Galway.
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The LEADER team provides supports, both financial and practical, for rural development projects in East Galway under the themes of economic development, enterprise development and job creation, social inclusion and rural environment.
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The Rural Social Scheme and the Tús Scheme have close to 450 participants in work placement schemes across the east of the county, providing a range of support to local community groups and voluntary and not-for-profit organisations. These include maintaining sports, community, and educational facilities, supporting older and vulnerable individuals through, for example, delivering Meals on Wheels and providing administrative support to smaller organisations.
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The SICAP team works county-wide and aims to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion and equality by working with individuals and community groups to address their needs. SICAP offers training, funding and mentoring support to those most in need. Individuals are supported by providing access to educational and employment opportunities and are encouraged to take part in, and contribute, to their own community.
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GRD acts as a sponsor of a CE scheme providing maintenance work for local communities and clerical and administrative support to community groups and charities in the Athenry and Craughwell areas.
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The Empowering Communities Programme helps people improve their communities. It supports people facing poverty, who feel left out in society, and the effects of this in their local area. The aim is to give people a say in how they want to improve where they live.
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The programme helps parents to improve their children’s social, language, and thinking skills from an early age and thereby, ensures that children enter school ready to learn, with the skills they need to be successful throughout their education.
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Social prescribing is a service for people who are lonely and socially isolated, and want to improve their quality of life but need help connecting to local community groups, activities, and services.
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Smart Villages are communities in rural areas that use innovative solutions to improve their resilience, building on local strengths and opportunities. Smart Villages is funded by the LEADER programme.
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The programme provides funding support to local projects that are focused on achieving improved employment outcomes for people with disabilities through a range of support measures.
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We cover East Galway
Athenry (Head Office)
Mellows Campus, Ballygarraun West, Athenry, Co. Galway, H65KR02
phone 091 844335
email grd@grd.ie
RSS & Tús phone 091 875732
RSS & Tús email tusadmin@grd.ie
Ballinasloe
34 Dunlo Street, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, H53F2Y2
phone 090 9645111
email ballinasloe@grd.ie
Contact the Athenry Office on 091 844335 for information on outreach locations that provide services regularly in other places in East Galway.
Our Vision
GRD’s vision is to nurture the development of sustainable and prosperous towns and villages while maintaining the unique culture, heritage, environment and natural beauty of County Galway.
Our Mission
GRD’s mission is to advocate for and implement inclusive rural and community development programmes that enhance people’s lives, revitalise communities, support enterprise development and maintain the natural and built heritage throughout County Galway.