Rural Business Development Grant Scheme 2024/2025

Scheme opened: 9am on 16 October 2024

Scheme closes: 12 noon on 8 November 2024

This Scheme is funded under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affair's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme.

The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme will deliver £1.55million in capital grants to support rural micro businesses across Northern Ireland.

Eligible rural businesses can apply for capital assistance of 50% up to the value of £4,999 for the purchase of capital equipment to help their business to enhance sustainability or to lead to growth opportunities and the creation of employment opportunities, which in turn strengthen the rural economy.

ALL details of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme are on the DAERA website at:  Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) 2024/2025 | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk).  Only online applications can be accepted for this scheme. 

Mandatory Pre-Application Workshops will be taking place:

• 10am on Wednesday 23 October 2024
• 6pm on Monday 28 October 2024
• 2pm on Thursday 31 October 2024

These workshops will be held online via Teams.  Only those businesses who attend a mandatory workshop will be eligible to apply to the scheme.  Please email rbdgs@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk with your preferred workshop date, an invitation will be issued in advance of the workshop.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Regeneration Team on 0300 013 3333 Ext 40918 or 40893 / Email - rbdgs@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Launching the scheme, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, MLA, said: "I am pleased to announce the opening of the £1.55million Rural Business Development Grant Scheme. This fund is important in delivering on the Department's priority of building strong sustainable and diverse rural communities and the draft Programme for Government priority of growing a globally competitive and sustainable economy with a focus on addressing regional balance".

Minister Muir continued "I urge all eligible rural businesses to go online and apply as soon as possible. Rural Businesses continue to play a vital role in our rural communities, and I want to support them at this challenging time and provide them with opportunities that will maximise their potential and stimulate business growth".