Rural community invited to apply for funding

The Programme is now inviting applications for a share of the funding available throughout the North West under two different measures covering the key themes of rural business creation & development and diversification into non-agricultural activities.

The NI Rural Development Programme is being delivered across the region by ARC NW (Assisting Rural Communities in the North West) which covers the Council areas of Derry, Limavady, Strabane and Omagh.

A high level of interest is anticipated in the following Measures which recently opened for applications;

Measure 3.1 Diversification into non-agricultural activities – which is aimed to assist farm households to diversify into non-agricultural activities on farm and, as a consequence, maintain or increase the income of the farm households and create employment opportunities. This includes those farmers who have previously diversified and wish to expand and Measure 3.2 Business creation and development – which is to create employment opportunities through promoting entrepreneurship and developing the economic infrastructure in rural areas.

Derry City Council has teamed up with its rural development partner RAPID to deliver three public information sessions to raise awareness of both Measures and to provide advice and assistance to those interested in applying.

The meetings will take place at the following venues - Newbuildings Community Association, 4 Duncastle Road, Newbuildings; 1st July 2010 from 7.00pm to 8.00pm; Learmount Community Group, Learmount Road Park, 7th July 2010 from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and Eglinton Community Centre, 40 Main Street, Eglinton; 8th July 2010 from 7.45pm to 9.00pm.

The Mayor of Derry, Councillor Colm Eastwood has welcomed the re-opening of these Measures and said: "The Rural Development Programme, through ARC North West, is offering important financial assistance to members of the rural community across the Derry City Council area.

"The funding available under the two measures currently open can make a real difference to existing and new businesses and individuals in rural areas".

The Mayor also commented on the assistance offered by RAPID saying: "I am delighted to be working in partnership with the Rural Area Partnership in Derry in raising the awareness of this key rural development funding initiative and hope that we can maximise as much interest as possible"

Both measures will be open to receive applications from Monday 7 June 2010.

The call will remain open for 12 weeks and there will be a staggered closing date. The first closing date is 12 noon on Monday 19 August 2010.

All applications received by this date will then be presented for assessment. The final closing date for applications is 12 noon on Tuesday 31 August 2010.

For further information on all the Measures currently open, please contact Johnny McCartney Rural Development Facilitator on 02871 337 149