The Rural Development Programme for Northern Ireland

Antrim and Newtownabbey Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Causeway Coast and Glens Derry and Strabane Fermanagh and Omagh Lisburn, Castlereagh and Rural Belfast Mid and East Antrim Mid Ulster Newry, Mourne and Down North Down and Ards New Northern Ireland LAG’s

SOAR Population of 205,711 (estimated 2014 ) Largest population outside Belfast Rural population 99,294 (estimated 2014) 554 square miles – covering a wide variety of environmental areas, and contrasting landscapes Covers the new Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Area

The Rural Development Programme for Northern Ireland Total Programme Budget £600 million Rural Economic Development Measure £70 million SOAR ABC £8 million

SOAR LOCAL ACTION GROUP 25 MEMBERS Councillors (12) Social Partners (13) PROGRAMME STAFF Programme Manager Elaine Cullen Deputy Programme ManagerMaria Magennis Project OfficersRosemary Hughes, Tony Morgan, Lynn Morrow Monitoring Officer Caoilin Boyle Admin OfficerRebecca Hyland

Rural Economic Development Measure Schemes RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT VILLAGE RENWAL RURAL BASIC SERVICES RURAL BROADBAND CO-OPERATION £3.18 million £959,400 £1.75 million £230,000 £460,600

RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT SCHEME £3.18 million “to support and encourage the development of non-agricultural activities in rural areas for all micro and small enterprises” All Sectors Eligible except Retail e.g. production, machinery repair, processing, engineering, services, financial sectors, IT Social Service Provision e.g. childcare, eldercare, healthcare, educational farms, leisure and recreation Rural Tourism Activities e.g. rural accommodation (no additional bed nights), tourism service provision, craft retail, restaurants Craft Activities IT Activities Social Economy Enterprises delivering an economic activity Bespoke training associated with capital items Marketing including e- trading, websites Typical Funding New equipment 2 nd hand equipment Refurbishment of old buildings New purpose-built premises

RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT SCHEME Activity Min. Grant per project application Max. Grant per project application Level of Support New Micro Business Capital Grant*£5,000Up to £30,000Up to 50% for all applications Existing Micro Enterprise Capital Grant£5,000Up to £50,000Up to 50% for all applications Existing Small Enterprise Capital Grant*£5,000Up to £70,000Up to 50% for all applications Existing Small Enterprise Capital Grant* For enterprises which can demonstrate that job creation will be higher (4 or more FT employees) £5,000Up to £90,000Up to 50% for all applications Technical Support & Bespoke Training£500Up to £5,000Up to 50% for all applications Web-based Marketing Support£500Up to £10,000Up to 50% for all applications Non Web-based Marketing Support£500Up to £5,000Up to 50% for all applications

RURAL BASIC SERVICES £1.75 million “to support the provision of improvements in social infrastructure that will provide access to basic services” Facilities to provide access to basic services Capital Infrastructure for community enterprises e.g. childcare, eldercare, health & well-being, education & training, as part of a larger community hub Capital-build for demonstration or pilot projects To enhance the existing service provision Recreational, cultural and leisure activities Which address negative trends in local economic and social development Feasibility studies as stand- alone projects To determine the potential viability of translating a basic service delivery idea into a sustainable project Bespoke training (training not provided by a statutory body)

RURAL BASIC SERVICES ActivityMin. GrantMax. GrantLevel of Support Capital Grant For the higher level of grant aid projects must demonstrate high level of partnership working with a range of local rural groups, agencies and statutory bodies £5,000£250,000 * 75% Council, Community / Voluntary Sector Capital Grant£5,000£100,000 * 75% Council, Community / Voluntary Sector Technical Support and Bespoke Training£500£5,00075% Council, Community / Voluntary Sector

VILLAGE RENEWAL “to support the drafting and update of integrated village plans and also for the capital investment to implement actions identified in village plans, support will be limited to within the village development limits” £959,400 Technical support To help with the development and implementation of integrated village action plans Small-Scale Capital Investment Including derelict and vacant buildings, gateway projects, shop front enhancements Identify features that promote shared community heritage and cultural aspect of village Bespoke Training Intrinsic to implementing projects and programmes under this scheme Professional fees Up to a maximum of 10% of eligible project grant amount e.g. architects, engineers, consultancy

VILLAGE RENEWAL ActivityMin. GrantMax. GrantLevel of Support Capital Grant. For the higher level of grant aid, the project must be highly innovative and demonstrate that it will create a legacy for the village and help its profile on a national basis. £5,000£250,000* 75% Council 75% Council in partnership with either Community / Voluntary Sector Capital Grant.£5,000£100,000* 75% Council 75% Council in partnership with either Community / Voluntary Sector Technical Support and Bespoke Training *upgrade of existing village plans **development of new village plans £500£2000* £4000** 75% Council 75% Council in partnership with either Community / Voluntary Sector

RURAL BROADBAND “to provide support for rural dwellers who cannot avail of broadband and will help address the very rural ‘not spots’ that are not within the scope of any other government initiatives” £230,000 Research and Feasibility Studies Projects that involve innovative community-led solutions for local access Capital projects which improve access to broadband

RURAL BROADBAND ActivityMin. GrantMax. GrantLevel of Support Capital Grant£5,000£100,000 75% Council 75% Council in partnership with either Private / Community/Voluntary Sector Technical Support and Bespoke Training£500£5,00075% Council 75% Council in partnership with either Private / Community/Voluntary Sector

CO-OPERATION “to provide support for co-operation projects” To support a least 2 Northern/Republic of Ireland Co-operation Projects Participate in Northern Ireland-wide project Participate in 1 other UK/European-wide project(s) £460,600

PRE-REQUISITES FOR APPLICATIONS RURAL BUSINESS BASIC SERVICES Private individuals, 18 or older in a rural area Attend a pre-application workshop Small enterprises (10-49 employees, non-agri activities) Micro enterprises (less than 10 employees, non-agri actitivites) SEE’s engaged in economic activities in rural areas Submit a business plan Quotations for items for which funding is sought Have full planning permission, if applicable Evidence of match funding at time of application Local Council Community Voluntary Sector Strategic Public Bodies Local council / Community Voluntary Sector Partnership Local Council / Private Partnership Submit a business plan Attend a pre-application workshop Quotations for items for which funding is sought Have full planning permission, if applicable Evidence of match funding at time of application Projects must an integral part of the Local Authority Community Plan and financially supported by the Local Authority

PRE-REQUISITES FOR APPLICATIONS VILLAGE RENEWALRURAL BROADBAND Local Council Local Council / Community Voluntary Sector Partnership Village as defined by NISRA and ABC Area Plan Within development limits / 30mph zone Submit a business plan Attend a pre-application workshop Quotations for items for which funding is sought Have full planning permission, if applicable Evidence of match funding at time of application Community Voluntary Sector inc. SEE’s Local Council Local council / Private partnership Local council / Community Voluntary Sector partnership Submit a business plan Attend a pre-application workshop Quotations for items for which funding is sought Have full planning permission, if applicable Evidence of match funding at time of application

WHAT MAKES A GOOD APPLICATION? Forward Planning Market Research / Business Planning Knowledge of running costs, pricing strategy For private sector: Why you need new equipment, new premises? Ability to discuss your growth plans For community sector: What services will be delivered, who will use the new services Socio economic background to the community/area the service will be delivered How integrated is your organisation with other bodies and groups?

JOURNEY OF AN APPLICATION Applicant submits Expression of Interest and is advised on eligibility of project Applicant attends funding workshop Applicant submits application form and supporting documents Eligibility Check and Site Visit carried out by SOAR (ABC) Application assessed and if successful approved for funding by Local Action Group If application is successful a letter of offer is issued to the project and funding is awarded

CONTACTS SOAR Office (Craigavon) Programme Manager Elaine Cullen Deputy Manager Maria Magennis Project Officer Tony Morgan Project Officer Lynn Morrow Admin Officer Rebecca Hyland SOAR Office (Armagh) Project Officer Rosemary Hughes Business Engagement Programme Malachy Gribben Arlene Barton TADA Rural Network Brendan McCann