Rural Business Grants for up to £4,999
Do you operate a micro business? (i.e. do you employ less than 10 employees)
Is your business based in a rural area? (a rural area is defined as an area with a population of less than 5,000 residents and outside designated urban areas of Magherafelt, Dungannon, Cookstown and Coalisland).
If so you may be eligible to apply for funding under the Rural Business Development Grants Scheme.
This Scheme aims to support the sustainability, recovery and development of micro rural businesses across Northern Ireland by providing a small capital grant for the business. Funding for this Scheme is provided through the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. This grant programme is administered and managed by local Councils.
You can apply for a Rural Business Development Grant if:
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The business is based in a rural area
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You are an existing, registered private Business or Social Economy Enterprise that is actively trading commercially; evidenced by providing your self-assessment number or Limited Company details and sales turnover details
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Your business currently employs less than 10 full-time equivalent employees (based on full time 30 hours per week and part time at least 16 hours per week). *Full-time employee must work at least 30 hours per week. Part-time employees must work at least 16 hours per week
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Sports Clubs and Community Groups can only be considered if they are commercially trading and generate sales revenue from selling goods and services to customers who are not exclusively Club or Commercial Group members. The grant can only be used to support the sustainability, survival and/or development of this commercial element, and not for the club or community group of its own. Projects that can be supported from other funding sources, such as Sport NI, are not eligible to be considered under this scheme
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The business is appropriately insured or prepared to obtain appropriate insurance if awarded a grant (building, contents or public liability insurance as appropriate)
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The applicant has a dedicated bank account used by the business
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Two price checks or written quotes have been provided for items as required
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The applicant is 18 or above at the application deadline
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The applicant has attended a pre-funding workshop
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The business can deliver the project, pay suppliers, and submit a grant claim in the given timeframe
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Only one application can be accepted per business/ legal entity
Who cannot apply:
The grant scheme cannot support
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Businesses based in urban areas
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New start businesses who have yet to commence trading (all business sectors)
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Farmers, or anyone registered to a Category 1 DAERA Business ID, undertaking mainstream agricultural activity
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Farm diversification projects where the diversified activity has not yet started trading
What you can apply for:
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Computer equipment, eg computer, laptop, printer.
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Computer software (outright purchase; ongoing licence fees are not eligible).
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E-commerce Websites to allow online purchase capabilities.
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New equipment/ machinery.
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Mobile machinery such as scissor lifts, forklifts, ride-on lawn mowers.
Level of support offered
Capital grants are offered at 50% of eligible expenditure up to a maximum of £4,999. The minimum grant level that can be applied for is £500, which means the minimum total project cost must be £1,000. The maximum total project costs must not exceed £20,000.
Guidance Notes
Further details on the full eligibility criteria including, who can apply and what you can apply for, can be found within the scheme Guidance Notes.
Please read the guidance notes carefully to ensure you can meet the eligibility criteria before applying.
The guidance notes also provide instruction on completing your application and the supporting information you need to submit.
Pre-application Workshops
To apply for the Scheme you must first attend a virtual pre-application workshop.
The purpose of the workshop is to explain the application process to ensure you follow the process correctly.
Your application will only be accepted if you have attended a workshop. There will be a choice of dates as below:
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Date
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Time
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Tuesday 22 October 2024
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10am and 7pm
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Thursday 24 October 2024
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12pm and 2pm
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Monday 28 October 2024
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2pm and 7pm
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Wednesday 30 October 2024
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8.30am
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Monday 4 November 2024
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12pm and 2pm
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To register for a pre-application workshop please email stating your preferred date and time. Workshops will be approximately 1 hour in duration.
If these dates do not suit, please still register your interest by email as further workshops can be arranged subject to demand.
Application Process
This is a competitive process with limited funding available therefore it may not be possible to fund all applications. Grants awarded will be determined on the base of merit against scoring criteria detailed within the Guidance Notes.
Details of all applications including the name of the beneficiary and financial support received will be published as part of Council reports, which are accessible to the public. (Please refer to Appendix 2 of the Guidance Notes for further information on publication of data and data protection)
Late applications cannot be accepted under any circumstances. The application form must be fully completed online and all required supporting documentation uploaded or the application will not be considered.
You are encouraged to submit your application well in advance of the closing date / time to avoid technical difficulties which could result in deeming your application ineligible.
For further information contact the Council's Economic Development Unit by calling 03000 132 132 (Ext 24403) or via email.
This Scheme is funded through The Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme (TRPSI) by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. This grant aid programme is administered and managed by local Councils.