13 August 2009 SOAR Opens First Call For Applications
SOAR OPENS ITS FIRST CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Over a 100,000 people living the rural areas of Armagh, Craigavon and Newry & Mourne Council District areas can now apply for a share of the £16.7 M specifically earmarked for rural development projects.
The first call for the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme across the SOAR region was announced on 3rd August - the newly launched Southern Organisation for Action in Rural Areas Partnership – which is made up of local Councillors and community representatives from across the three Council areas.
The event was hosted by Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon, Mayor of Armagh City and District Council in The Old Mill, Keady, Co Armagh. In attendance was a range of rural stakeholders, including Council representatives from across the three partner Council cluster areas of Armagh, Craigavon and Newry & Mourne, DARD Officials, Council officers, rural advisors and network representatives.
Speaking at the launch, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deputy Secretary Roy McClenaghan said, ‘It is to the credit of everyone involved that the Rural Development is now open for applications. While much has already been achieved I would suggest that in many ways the work begins now. “Today’s launch signals the business of rural development really getting underway in the SOAR area. With almost £17m available the building blocks are now in place and opportunities that exist through the Rural Development Programme can become a reality for the rural community’. Mr. McClenaghan expressed the Department’s thanks to everyone involved in SOAR, the voluntary LAG members who willingly give so freely of their time and also the elected members representing their councils in the SOAR partnership.
The Mayor of Armagh, Cllr Thomas O’Hanlon said, “Today marks a significant event for the SOAR Rural Partnership. We are delighted to be able to host this event in Keady in one of the rural areas that can benefit from this fantastic funding opportunity. The fund itself is available to all rural areas across all of the three Council areas. In fact the programme is available to a total of 101,000 rural people that we represent”
Alderman Sidney Anderson, Chairman of SOAR Joint Committee, highlighted the potentially significant impact which the rural development funding could have on rural communities and businesses: “This funding will create a much needed boost for the local economy, helping to strengthen the social and economic infrastructures of rural areas, creating employment opportunities and making the most of our heritage and tourism potential which exists in abundance across all of the SOAR region. We are delighted to be opening a call for applications which will bring such significant investment to our rural communities”.
Under this first call for applications, proposals can be made under three of six rural development themes:
• Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities
• Business Creation and Development
• Encouragement of Tourism Activities
Announcing the first release of funds, Mr Miceal McCoy, Chairman of the SOAR Local Action Group, said: “This call for applications is the first of many over the next four years and represents the beginning of an enormous programme of investment in our rural areas. I would encourage all those with project ideas to contact us for more information and benefit from what is the largest ever allocation of central government and European funding to this region of Northern Ireland”.
This call for applications will close on the 14th September at 4.00pm. Applications for funding can be completed online at www.eugrants.org
If individuals are interested in applying for funding under any of the opened measures, please contact Craigavon, Armagh or Newry & Mourne District Councils for more information on the online application process. Similarly information on the application process can be accessed through our online resource, www.soarni.org
Any hard copy application forms should be returned to the SOAR Rural Development Programme Manager, at Craigavon Borough Council, Lakeview Road, Craigavon, BT64 1 AL
