Conservation and upgrading of rural heritage
Objective of the measure
To create opportunities to preserve and upgrade Northern Ireland’s rural heritage and to use the natural and built environment as the basis for sustainable economic growth in rural areas.
Eligible Applicants
Applicant businesses must be located in a rural area. They may be:
- private individuals, aged over 18 years
- social economy enterprises*
- social economy enterprises*
- councils
*Definition: Social Economy Enterprise (SEE) are viewed as those organisations that have a social, community or ethical purpose, operate using a commercial business model and have a legal form appropriate to a not -for personal profit status.
What type of projects can be supported?
Examples of projects could include:
• Monument/heritage site conservation and protection
• Access/signage/information re heritage sites
• Culture, history and heritage
Grant Rates
| Activity | Level of Support | Maximum funding |
| Grant aid towards capital and resource costs | Up to 50% for the private sector
Up to 75% for social economy enterprises, including Community Groups Up to 75% for non departmental public bodies and councils |
£50 000
£250 000 £250 000 |
| Marketing support | Up to 50% for the private sector
Up to 75% for social economy enterprises, including Community Groups Up to 75% for non departmental public bodies and councils |
£5 000 in any one of the activities, or as a composite of two or three |
| Bespoke training intrinsic to individual applications which is not on offer from any other provider | ||
| Technical support to help new businesses become established and to help existing businesses to consolidate and expand |
Social economy businesses may provide match funding in the form of contribution-in-kind (up to 20%) and cash contribution of at least 5%.
No advances will be paid, except to SEE’s @ a maximum of 20% of total grant award.
