Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2021

This Scheme is funded under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme.

Micro Capital grants of between £200 and £1,500 are available to rural community-led, voluntary organisations for projects tackling issues of local poverty and / or social isolation.   The total project cost must not exceed £3,000.  Projects must clearly address an issue of rural poverty and / or social isolation and applicants must provide a minimum of 15% match funding.

The scheme is being delivered by the Rural Support Networks on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Application forms, Guidance notes and further advice and information is available from the Rural Support Network in your council area, details below.

Key objectives

The Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2021 has been designed to:

• Help rural community-led, voluntary groups to address local issues of access poverty, financial poverty and social isolation; and
• Improve the lives of rural communities, and in particular the wellbeing of isolated individuals.

Projects must focus on one of the following three themes:

• Modernisation  (of premises / assets)
• Information Communication Technology (ICT)
• Health and Wellbeing

In recognising the impact of Covid 19, and the need for investment to reopen and safely operate venues, eligible costs may include structural alterations, e.g. ventilation systems for rooms without windows; heating rooms previously unused rooms to provide more space; removing walls to improve space and improve distancing. Furthermore, goods which have a degree of permanence (anticipated to have a life beyond 1 year) or can be permanently affixed to the venue can also be considered eligible. This would allow items including sanitiser stations, perspex screens, signage, floor markings, refillable spray bottles, automatic doors, replacement furniture that can be wiped down and contactless thermometers.

The Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2021 will be open for applications from Friday 01 October 2021 until 12 noon on Friday 22 October 2021.

For further information about the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2021, please contact the Rural Support Network for your council area who will provide the link to the Application Form for the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2021

Please note, DAERA will only accept online applications to the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2021, applications will not be accepted in any other format

→Your Local RSN | The Local Rural Support Networks

→Apply online:  Login (outsystemsenterprise.com)

→http://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/poots-announces-new-ps750k-investment-rural-micro-capital-grant-scheme

County Down Rural Community Network have pre-application information workshops for groups in Newry, Mourne & Down, Ards & North Down and Lisburn & Castlereagh via Zoom to learn more about how to apply:

Tuesday 12^th October 2021 @10am

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85778624216?pwd=aDEvL3B0elNEQ3d4MDFLMUpYc1dDZz09

Meeting ID: 857 7862 4216 /  Passcode: 625049

Tuesday 12^th October 2021 @7pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85657264935?pwd=eUZhVEc1UTcySFR0Y1NYQk9xdFZqdz09

Meeting ID: 856 5726 4935  /  Passcode: 443495

For help or assistance regarding these information workshops, telephone 028 4461 2311 or email microgrant@countydownrcn.com