Rural Business Development Grant Scheme 2022 to open on Wednesday 4 May 2022.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has announced that the Rural Business Development Grant Aid Scheme, funded by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) as part of the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme (TRPSI) and administered by local Councils, will open for applications on Wednesday 4 May 2022.

The scheme, now in its fourth year, aims to support the sustainability, survival and development of micro rural businesses across Northern Ireland by providing a small capital grant for the business.

The Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson said;

“Since 2019, more than 200 micro businesses across Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have received grant assistance totalling just over £595,000 to help sustain and grow their business and it is anticipated that this round of funding will be well subscribed.

I would encourage any business which meets the criteria to look at how this programme could be beneficial to them.”

Grants are available for up to 50% of costs for capital items to a maximum of £4,999. The minimum grant awarded will be £500. Capital projects must have a minimum cost of £1,000 and must not exceed £20,000. Applicants will provide the remaining match funding towards the project. This is a competitive process and all grants awarded will be determined on the basis of merit.

The Scheme is open to existing, micro businesses or Social Economy enterprises (employing less than 10 full time equivalent employees), based in a rural area. This is a capital grant scheme to support the purchase of new capital items of equipment or machinery or to set up an e-commerce website.

Businesses that have previously received funding under the TRPSI Rural Business Development Scheme in the 2021 call are not eligible to apply for this round of funding.

Applicants are required to attend a MANDATORY online workshop in order to be eligible to make an application. Workshops will be held at 7pm each evening on Tuesday 3rd May, Tuesday 10th and Thursday 12th May.

To register for a workshop please contact the Rural Development Team by email to rural.development@fermanaghomagh.com indicating your choice of workshop.

Promoters who express an interest in attending a workshop will receive an email which will contain a link to the workshop and an online form which must be submitted prior to the workshop.

Online applications open at 9.00am on Wednesday 4 May 2022 and will close at 12 noon on Tuesday 31 May 2022 and can be accessed via the Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

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