Author Archives: SOAR

SOAR (ABC) will be holding a final Rural Business Investment Scheme Workshop at Craigavon Civic Centre on Tuesday 17th April from 10 am to 12 noon.

If you are interested in applying for funding please go to our application page (click here) to complete an Expression of Interest form and sign up for attendance. Further details on what’s eligible can be found on the Funding Page (click here), or contact the SOAR (ABC) office on 028 3831 3614 for further details.

The Co-Innovate programme is hosting a FREE special innovation workshop for the life and health sciences sector on 23 March in Dungannon Enterprise Centre.

With limited remaining places available, SMEs and micro-businesses across the island are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to take advantage of the tailored workshop that will help to identify opportunities for business growth.

Neil Ryan, Co-Innovate programme director, said: “I would encourage companies within the life and sciences sector to apply for a place at the upcoming free workshop, which will focus on nurturing ideas and growing success. The event will demystify innovation and identify practices for its successful implementation, with a focus on developing potential projects and collaboration opportunities.”

The €16.6 million Co-Innovate Programme is supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA programme and managed by the Special EU programmes Body.

Companies can register to attend by emailing [email protected] or visit the website www.co-innovateprogramme.eu/ci/register-interest/

SOAR (ABC) plan to hold funding workshops towards the end of March 2018 for those applicants hoping to apply under the Rural Business Investment Scheme. If you are interested in applying please go to our application page (click here) to complete an Expression of Interest form and sign up for attendance at a workshop. Further details on what’s eligible can be found on the Funding Page (click here), or contact the SOAR (ABC) office on 028 3831 3614 for further details.

A further series of dates has been announced for on-farm health and safety workshops delivered as part of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 – Farm Family Key Skills.

Farmers, farm family members and farm employees can attend free workshops at various farm venues across Northern Ireland. The workshops offer practical awareness raising which covers the everyday hazards faced by the farming industry.

See attached poster for details on dates and areas.  All workshops commence at 7pm. An off-farm venue in Ballymena is also scheduled in for January 2018.

Anyone interested in attending MUST register in advance either via www.cafre.ac.uk/industry-support/farm-family-key-skills/ or alternatively contact RDC on 028 8676 6980.

RYE Connect is keen to help young entrepreneurs turn their business idea into reality whilst also offering an opportunity to travel to Lapland for a week-long series of masterclasses, mentoring and business support.

Please see attached Flyer for more information.

SOAR (ABC) plan hold funding workshops towards the end of April 2017 for those applicants hoping to apply under the Rural Business Investment Scheme. If you are interested in applying please go to our application page (click here) to complete an Expression of Interest form and sign up for attendance at a workshop. Further details on what’s eligible can be found on the Funding Page (click here), or contact the SOAR (ABC) office on 028 3831 3614 for further details.

In September 2015, the Housing Executive introduced the Social Housing Enterprise Programme. As part of the strategy it was agreed that financial investment may be awarded to individuals or groups living or working in NIHE estates, to enable development of personal or organisational capacity to improve or develop economic activity in the area.

The 2016 / 2017 Social Housing Enterprise Programme is now open for Business Start-up, Education & Training Awards of up to £1000. This programme is

Applications for large awards of £10,000, £20,000 & £50,000 are currently closed and will be available in April 2017. However, applications can currently be submitted for smaller awards of up to £1000 (until funds have depleted).

More information is available at: http://www.nihe.gov.uk/index/community/community_social_housing_investment_scheme.htm

 DAERA NIEA Challenge Fund 2016/17 

Please note that the DAERA NIEA Challenge Fund 2016/17 has now opened.

See the following links for additional information  and guidance on making applications.

Projects may be funded to a maximum of £20,000 and applications must be received by noon on Friday 18^thof November 2016.

All successful projects under this programme must be completed by the 15th of March 2017.   https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/daera-niea-challenge-fund-201617   https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/daera-niea-challenge-fund-201617-application-form-and-guidance