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Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) 2024/25

Capital grants up to a maximum of 50% grant rate are available to existing micro enterprises based in a rural area to support them to sustain or grow through DAERA’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme. 

 


Applications Open!

Applications Open!
 

Applications open between Wednesday 16 October 2024 and close at 12noon on Friday 08 November 2024.  Grant aid of between £500 - £4,999 is available for projects to purchase equipment, machinery or set up an e-commerce website.  The maximum project cost is £20,000. Applicants must provide the remaining match funding towards the project.

This Programme is open to eligible businesses regardless of whether they have previously received funding under the Scheme.

Am I Eligible?

Am I Eligible?
 

To be eligible for the Scheme, applicants must be based in a rural area, and employ less than 10 full-time equivalent employees. You must also register and attend one of our virtual workshops:

Date

Time

Location

Friday 25 October

3.30pm

Online

Wednesday 30 October

4.30pm

Online

Friday 01 November

10am

Online

Monday 04 November

6pm

Online

 

To register for a workshop, email: RuralBusiness@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Is my Business Based in a Rural Area?

Is my Business Based in a Rural Area?
 

Rural areas are those areas with less than 5,000 residents and outside of designated urban areas. In Antrim and Newtownabbey this includes the villages of Ballyeaston, Ballynure, Ballyrobert, Burnside, Doagh, Parkgate, Straid, Templepatrick, Toome and all outlying rural areas.

The scheme cannot support businesses based in urban towns of Antrim, Ballyclare, Crumlin, Glengormley and Randalstown, nor within the Newtownabbey Urban Area.

If you’re unsure whether your business location is eligible, please email: RuralBusiness@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

How do I apply?

How do I apply?
 

Applications must be submitted online. The online system will open for applications from Wednesday 16 October until 12noon on Friday 08 November 2024.

To view the guidance notes and to apply please go to the DAERA website using this link.  

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

To contact a member of the Economic Development team:

T: 0300 123 4568

E: RuralBusiness@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk