Author Archives: SOAR

Applications for the Rural Business Development Grant Pilot Scheme are now open. The scheme is being funding through the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme on behalf of DAERA and offers rural businesses up to £4999 for the purchase of capital items.

Applications close at 12 Noon on the 18^th December. Application forms and Guidance notes are accessible from the Council’s website:

https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/business/rural-business-development-grant-pilot-scheme/ . Application forms can be emailed to economicdevelopment@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk, or can be post/ hand delivered.

For further information contact the Economic Development team on 028 4066 0609.

SOAR (ABC) is now closed to any new applications. Our programme is now nearing an end and all letters of offer have to be committed by Sept 2019.

DAERA are currently starting to plan for a new Rural Programme but it this probably wont be open to later in 2021.

SOAR (ABC) plan to hold funding workshops in January 2019 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 2573 for further details

Please note this is the last call under the Business Measure

SOAR (ABC) plan to hold funding workshops in August 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 2573 for further details.

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 info@co-innovateprogramme.eu or visit the website www.co-innovateprogramme.eu/ci/register-interest/

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.