O’Neill urges rural communities not to miss out on Rural Micro Grant Programme
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Check out the finding oportuniites for local community groups.[/caption]
Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill has urged rural community groups to apply now for their share of the Rural Micro Capital Grant Programme, with over £200,000 available.
The Minister was speaking as she announced the opening of the second phase of the Programme during a visit to Moneyneena & District Development Initiative in Draperstown, who were awarded £1,500 under the first phase of the Programme earlier this year.
Minister O’Neill said: “The Rural Micro Capital Grant Programme has provided rural community and voluntary groups with the opportunity to take practical steps to modernise and update their premises and to buy vital pieces of equipment that enable them to continue to deliver services to their local rural communities.
“The first phase of the Programme has been extremely successful, with 146 rural community organisations benefitting from Micro Grants so far this year. I have seen today how the funding of £1,500 has facilitated the Monyneena & District Development Initiative in improving and promoting services to the community through something as simple as a photocopier.
“I am therefore pleased to announce that the second phase of the Rural Micro Capital Grant Programme, which is worth over £200,000, is now open for applications until noon on Friday 30 October 2015. I urge rural communities not to miss out on this funding and submit applications to the Programme as soon as possible.”
The Rural Micro Capital Grant Programme is one element of DARD’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework. Grants of between £200 and £1,500 are available to rural community-led, voluntary organisations towards the cost of capital equipment, improvement of a capital asset or extending the useable life of a capital asset.
Minister O’Neill added: “While the amount awarded to each group maybe relatively low, the impact of these projects within rural communities is considerable and I would encourage rural community groups to contact their local Rural Support Network or visit the DARD website for more information on the Programme and advice on how to apply.”
Application packs can be downloaded from www.countydownrcn.comor for more information please contact County Down Rural Community Network on 028 4461 2311 or by email info@countydownrcn.com
*please note that groups who received funding in Phase 1 of the Micro Grants earlier this year cannot re-apply to this round*
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Cross Border Funding Call By Durkan
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has called on environment groups to apply for share of over £36million pounds of cross border EU funding.
Environment groups can apply for funding worth €48.3million (over £35million) from 7 October 2015. The funding is to be allocated through the INTERREG cross-border co-operation programme for the Border Region of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland for 2014-2020.
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: “This funding is a major boost to help protect our environment. I encourage environmental groups to grasp the opportunity and engage in the programme.
“This offers a significant chance to recover habitats and species of concern, achieve a more integrated approach to marine management and improve water quality across the region. At a time when budgets are squeezed I urge relevant groups in the North to do everything possible to get a slice of this funding pot for collaborative environmental projects with the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland.”
Applications for the environment element of funding open from 7 October 2015 and will close on 8 January 2016. It is expected that contracts will be awarded by September 2016. Details on the programme and application process can be found at:
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