WHAT'S AVAILABLE

The NI Rural Development Programme (2014-2020) is open to people who live in, or organisations which operate in, either the countryside or in settlements with a population of less than 5,000.

At local level funding will be used to encourage the economic development of rural Mid Ulster and will be delivered across a range of schemes, including Rural Business Investment, Rural Services, Village Renewal, Rural Broadband and Co-operation.

Mid Ulster Rural Development Partnership has identified the following schemes within its local rural development strategy.  Click the links below to open the scheme sheet for further detail on each.

 

RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT SCHEME

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This scheme will provide investment support for the creation and development of micro and small enterprises in rural areas, including farm diversification and private tourism businesses.

Support is targeted at rural areas and towns with a population of less than 5000.

The funding will provide in the main capital grants for the creation and development of rural businesses engaged in non-agricultural activities.  It will support both existing businesses and new business start-ups, with a maximum grant available of £90,000 (dependent on business size).

Job creation is a key priority for the Rural Development Programme and every business applying will be expected to contribute towards the job creation targets identified by the LAG. 

 

RURAL SERVICES

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This Scheme will support capital investments which will provide access to basic services or improvements in social infrastructure.

It includes activities to reduce isolation and/or poverty, so as to improve the welfare and access to basic services of those living in rural areas, and which are an integral part of and in line with the Council Community Plan and emerging priorities.

Projects must relate to the main theme of Innovative Service Delivery, such as the creation of health hubs to deliver multiple services or community hubs, where the capital infrastructure is put in place to allow a number of services to be delivered to the community.

 

VILLAGE ACTION SCHEME

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This scheme will provide financial support for small-scale infrastructure projects and for other capital and marketing initiatives which can be seen to improve the village.

Support for Village Renewal must fit with the Council’s Community Plan, and integrate with Village Renewal Plans.

The measure aims to build on the overarching fabric of a village or town, integrating with funding from other government departments and agencies. It aims to address rural dereliction and prioritise the re-use of existing derelict buildings, particularly to provide community infrastructure.

 

RURAL BROADBAND SCHEME

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This scheme will provide financial support to fill the gap for rural dwellers and business clusters who cannot currently avail of broadband.

It will help address the very rural ‘not spots’ that aren’t within the scope of any other government initiatives.

Funding will be limited to small broadband infrastructure schemes that will involve innovative community-led solutions for local access. It is likely that only 2-3 grants will be made available under this measure.

Evidence of consultation with, and support of, Council will be required.

 

CO-OPERATION SCHEME

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The Partnership recognises the importance of Co-operation actions as a priority for the 2014 - 2020 Programme with a particular emphasis on cross border projects.

Our central location within Northern Ireland bordering six neighbouring Council as well as our border location with Monaghan creates good opportunities for co-operation within and between different LAGs and on a wider cross border basis.