Initial Enquiries
Initial Enquiries
To get an indication of whether your project may be suitable for funding, you can submit a short (two page) Expression of Interest form. This does NOT constitute an application for funding. If the proposal is eligible in principle you will be advised to go through a full application process. Equally if your proposal is deemed ineligible you will be notified and if appropriate, directed towards another funding body.
How to make an Application
Applications should be submitted on-line via www.eugrants.org If you are unable to access this form, a paper copy can be requested from the SOAR regional offices in Armagh, Craigavon or Newry & Mourne Council office’s. Guidance notes for the application form are available under the Application & Guidance section.
The application form will allow staff to collect essential project details and to carry out an eligibility check.
Please Note that all project details and information will be treated with the strictest of confidence.
How will the Application be Processed?
A site visit will be carried out to gather additional project details and to collect supporting documentation, including for example:
- Project financial details
- Copy of organisation business plan, if available
- Existing organisations - 2 year profit & loss accounts and balance sheets
- Farm diversification projects – If you are not the farm owner, you must provide written authority from the farm owner that the proposed project may proceed
- Evidence of match funding, for example bank loan offer
- Copy of statutory approvals, for example planning permission if applicable.
Applications will be subject to an economic appraisal and checks with statutory agencies as necessary for eligibility and funding duplication purposes. The project will be scored against set criteria and a recommendation will be made to the Local Action Group. This recommendation is then subject to approval by the Statutory Joint Committee.
After this stage the applicant will be informed of the decision and either a letter of offer issued, further information sought or the reasons for rejection provided. The Letter of Offer will be accompanied by a list of eligible expenditure and the amount and percentage of aid granted.
For monitoring and evaluation purposes the project promoters will also be liable to inspection from local, national or EU level personnel after final payment(s) are made.
Please note that this is a competitive process and projects must score over the minimum funding threshold to be considered for funding.
Timescale for Applications
To enable us to administer the grants in an efficient manner, SOAR will have a series of application calls for all programmes. Details of closing dates will be available on the our website, advertised through the local press or by contacting the SOAR regional office’s. We aim to have applications assessed and decisions made within 12 weeks of the closing date.
If you have questions at any stage of the application process, please contact us and we will provide you with any advice and information you may need.
