Author Archives: SOAR

Southern Organisation for Action in Rural Areas (ABC) Brochure 2014-2021

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is currently in the process of developing an innovative Agriculture Strategy. The Agriculture Industry is the underpinning industry in the ABC borough and at the heart of so many businesses. The growth of mainstream agriculture including the agri-food industry, manufacturing, machinery and haulage/transportation of agri-commodities, are all interdependent on the success of the Agriculture Industry.
By taking a strategic approach to the agriculture industry, ABC council aims to help set the direction for all associated businesses, including agri-food, agri-business and agri-tech in the borough.

Feedback has already been gathered from farmers within the borough to help shape the strategy – and now we need to hear from agri-businesses to help continue this development. A survey has been developed to help collect the thoughts of those working within the agri-business sector.
Consultation with agri businesses across the agriculture industry is valuable in developing Councils Agriculture Strategy and provides agri businesses with an opportunity for input, leading to the development of creative and realistic recommendations to address opportunities and challenges for the industry within our Borough.
You are invited to take part in an online consultation which opens Monday 5 July 2021 until Friday 30 July 2021. We would be grateful for your feedback and to this opportunity to input, share your ideas and suggestions on the agriculture industry in our Borough.

To access the survey please follow this link: https://armaghbanbridgecraigavon.citizenspace.com/regeneration/agri-business-survey

Please allow 20 – 25 minutes to complete this survey.

Thank you for your time

Funded by DAERA, this Scheme is administered through local councils. It can provide funding of up to 50% of costs for capital items up to a maximum of £4,999. The minimum grant awarded will be £500. The total cost of the capital project must be a minimum of £1,000 and must not exceed £20,000. Applicants must provide the remaining match funding towards the project.

This is a competitive process and all grants awarded will be determined on the base of merit.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 Noon on Friday 30 July 2021, application form and supporting documentation should be emailed to edproject@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

This scheme accepts application and claim documentation in electronic form only. You must use the same email address throughout the process for submitting your application and any Letter of Offer and claim documentation.

Application Form and Guidance notes can be found on the Council’s website https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/business/rural-business-development-grant-scheme/

Information Workshops will be held early July, for more information and to book a place, please email edproject@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

PLEASE NOTE: Previous applicants who have received financial assistance from the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme in 2019-20 or 2020-21 are not eligible to apply.

The Rural Halls Refurbishment Scheme is a pilot Scheme which will provide a grant to rural community and voluntary organisations to deliver capital refurbishment works to rural halls, with the intended aim of keeping community facilities viable and to support existing rural organisations to remain sustainable and identify new volunteers.

The link to the Guidance Notes and Application Form can be accessed at

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/rural-halls-refurbishment-scheme

DAERA are delivering a Rural Micro Business Growth Scheme for capital grants of between £5,000 – £40,000.  For more information, visit https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/grants-and-funding-rural-development/rural-development-grants or email RBCI.programme@daera-ni.gov.uk.

The guidance notes and application form are attached as documents below this notice.

Please note that you can only apply for a grant from either the Rural Micro Business Growth Scheme or the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme.

TRPSI Rural Business Development Grant Scheme

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.