Rural Business Development Grant Scheme

The RBDGS 2024/2025 opened at 9.00am on 16 October 2024 and will close at 12noon on Friday 8 November 2024.

The Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme’s (TRPSI) Rural Business Development Grant Scheme aims to support the sustainability and growth of rural micro-businesses across Northern Ireland by providing a small capital grant for the business. The TRPSI Programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and this grant aid Programme is administered and managed by local Councils.

LEVEL OF GRANT AID
The Scheme 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.

HOW TO APPLY?
Applications must be submitted online.
To apply please click here  or visit: https://digitalapps2.daera-ni.gov.uk/RBDGS/StartPage

You are encouraged to submit your application well in advance of the closing date / time to avoid technical difficulties which could result in deeming your application ineligible.

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

For more information on this grant scheme please visit: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/rural-business-development-grant-scheme-rbdgs-general-guidance-notes

Prior to submitting an application all eligible businesses must attend a mandatory pre-funding workshop, which are being held on: 

Tuesday 22 October @ 6.00pm – 7.30pm in CIDO, Craigavon (BT63 5PP)
Thursday 24 October @ 11.00am – 12.30pm  Online via MS Teams
Monday 28 October @ 12.30pm – 2.00pm in  Armagh Business Centre (BT61 7NH)
Tuesday 29 October @ 6.00pm – 7.30pm in Banbridge Enterprise Centre (BT32 3QD)
To register please email

The last & final DAERA Rural Business Development Grant Scheme MANDATORY WORKSHOP (ABC Council Area) will take place online on Monday 4 November from 9.30am – 10.30am on MS Teams. There is no need to register for this session.  Please click on the link below to join the workshop:

Join Online Workshop

• This workshop will be delivered on Microsoft Teams – please ensure you have this platform installed on your device and join a few minutes in advance so we can start promptly.
• When you join the meeting, please add your name and your business name to the chat function – you will be shown how to do this at the start of the workshop.  This is a requirement of Daera so we can confirm your attendance.

For your convenience, a copy of the presentation delivered at the Mandatory workshop is available here

Please note your attendance is still required as a mandatory prerequisite of the scheme.

Spaces are limited to one person per business at the workshops.

KEY DATES AND INFORMATION

The Programme will follow this ten step administrative process:

Step 1: Open call for applications (closing12noon Friday 8 November 2024)
Step 2: Potential applicants attend mandatory pre-application workshop – dates listed above.
Step 3: Applications are submitted online and supporting documentation uploaded (12noon Friday 8 November 2024)
Step 4: Applications are assessed
Step 5: Letters of Offer are issued and applicant attends Letter of Offer workshop (10 January 2025 tbc)
Step 6: Letters of Offer are returned within 10 working days
Step 7: Projects are completed and paid in full by applicant (14 March 2025)
Step 8: Grant claim is submitted online with supporting documentation  to local Council for processing (31 March 2025)
Step 9:Grant payment is made directly to applicant
Step 10: Applicant completes post project survey by 31 March 2026.