Rural Business Development Grants

RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS OF UP TO £4,999

Opening 4th May 2022. Please register NOW for one of the mandatory pre-application workshops

Start the Application HERE

The Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme’s (TRPSI) Rural Business Development Grant Scheme aims to support the sustainability, recovery and development of rural micro-businesses across Northern Ireland by providing a small capital grant for the business. The TRPSI Programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and this grant Programme is administered and managed by local Councils

Level of Grant

The Scheme can provide funding of up to 50% of costs for capital items up to a maximum of £4,999. The minimum grant awarded will be £500. The total cost of the capital project must be a minimum of £1,000 and must not exceed £20,000. Applicants must provide the remaining match funding towards the project.

This is a competitive process and all grants awarded will be determined on the basis of merit.

Businesses who previously received funding under the 2020-21 TRPSI Rural Business Development Scheme are not eligible to apply to this programme.

The Programme will be open for applications as follows:

Opening date: Wednesday 4 May 2022
Closing date: Tuesday 31 May 2022 at 12 noon

What can I apply for?

Grant aid is available for a range of capital items including:

Computer equipment and software
E-commerce websites
New equipment/ machinery
Mobile machinery, such as scissor lifts, forklifts, ride-on lawn mowers.
Covid-19 business recovery equipment, including free standing screens and hand sanitizer units (the hand sanitizer is not eligible).

Further details on what is eligible and not eligible is available in the Guidance notes

Is my Business Located in a Rural Area?

Businesses must be based in a rural area within the Derry City and Strabane District Council. A rural area is defined as an area with a population of less than 5,000 residents. Culmore, Drumahoe, Nixons Corner, Coshquinn, Newbuildings and Strathfoyle are defined as rural and are eligible for this programme. If you’re unsure if your business location is eligible, email rural.business@derrystrabane.com or telephone 02871 253 253 ext 4265 / 07525708399.

How do I apply?

This is an online application process. Your application and supporting documents must be submitted via (link available from 4th May 2022) and uploaded by 12noon on Tuesday 31st May 2022. The online system closes at this date and time and therefore no late applications will be accepted. It is recommended that you register, complete and submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment

Please note the following pre-requisites:

Your business must be located in a rural area & have less than 10 full-time equivalent employees.
You have not received funding under last year’s (2021) TRPSI Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (If you received funding from the Scheme in 2019 or 2020 then you are eligible to apply this year)
The total cost of the capital project must be a minimum of £1,000 and must not exceed £20,000 of project costs.
The project must not have started and the proposed works must be completed by 31 October 2022.

You must attend a pre-funding workshop before the application call closes.

It is anticipated that grant offers will be made in late August / early September 2022, and your project cannot commence until you receive a formal offer of funding.

Pre Application Workshops

Mandatory pre-application workshops will be taking place on the following days:

Tuesday 3rd May 2022 @ 10am - Virtual via Zoom
Tuesday 10th May @ 6pm - Virtual via Zoom
Wednesday 11th May 2022 @ 4pm - Derry City & Strabane District Council, 47 Derry Road, Strabane, BT82 8DY
Tuesday 17th May 2022 @ 4pm - Virtual via Zoom
Friday 20th May 2022 @ 10am - Derry City & Strabane District Council, 47 Derry Road, Strabane, BT82 8DY

Only those businesses who attend a mandatory workshop will be able to apply to the scheme. Register for a virtual workshop via: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/deara-pre-application-workshops-321789 or email rural.business@derrystrabane.com to register for an in-person workshop.

How can I find out about the Grant funding?

To find out more about the scheme, the application, assessment and claims process, you should read the application guidance notes. A copy of the Guidance Notes available to download here

Do you require support with your application?

Derry City & Strabane District Council can provide support and guidance in relation to your application, please contact us before 16 May should you require assistance with completion of your application.

For further info with regards to eligibility, the application process and your project idea please contact Catherine Collins on tel. 02871 253 253 ext 4265 / Mobile 07525 708 399 or email rural.business@derrystrabane.com