Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme 2024/2025
Omagh Forum for Rural Associations are delighted to let you know that the Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme 2024/2025 is now open for applications, closing at noon on Monday 8th July 2024.
This Scheme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs under the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme and is being delivered in the Fermanagh and Omagh area by Omagh Forum for Rural Associations and Fermanagh Rural Community Network.
Key objectives
The Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2024/2025 has been designed to:
- Help rural community-led, voluntary groups to address local issues of access poverty, financial poverty and social isolation;
- Improve the lives of rural communities, and in particular the wellbeing of isolated individuals; and,
- In line with the draft Green Growth Strategy for Northern Ireland provide opportunity to community-led, voluntary groups to implement energy efficiency measures / environmental improvements.
The Grant Scheme
Micro Capital grants between £500 and £2,000 are available to rural community-led, voluntary organisations for projects tackling issues of local poverty and / or social isolation, and / or implementing energy efficiency measures / environmental improvements. Projects must focus on one of the following four themes:
- Modernistaion (of building(s) / assets).
- Information Communication Technology (ICT).
- Health and Wellbeing.
- Energy Efficiency* / Environment Improvement**.
The Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme can offer grant aid from 50% up to 85% of the total eligible cost of your project. NB: The total project cost must not exceed £4,000. Match funding for your contribution of at least 15% must be in the form of a ‘cash’ contribution. Labour or ‘in-kind’ contributions will not be accepted.
In order to ensure that as many groups as possible get the opportunity to benefit from this Scheme, organisations can only make one application to the Scheme.
*To encourage local communities to implement energy efficiency / environmental improvements eligible costs may include, e.g., draft proofing, double glazed windows, change of lighting to LED, light sensors/timers, insulation, replace kettles with a water boiler.
**Environmental improvements eligible costs may include the purchase of 100% gardening equipment, e.g. tunnel kits, pots, spades, hoes and raised beds. A maximum 15% of the overall project costs may be used to purchase plants, trees, hedges, flowers etc. (Plants / shrubs / flowers must be perennial, i.e. plants that live multiple seasons).
This is the general guidance link:
Application form and guidelines are available by registering at the following link:
https://digitalapps2.daera-ni.gov.uk/RMCGS/StartPage
Omagh Forum for Rural Associations and Fermanagh Rural Community Network are hosting “Zoom” and “Face-to-face” information sessions during the application period.
We would strongly advise all groups to take part in a pre-application information session so that your organisation has all the latest information on the programme and the application process including how to register as a new user and navigate the online application process.
Information Sessions:
Tuesday 18th June @ 7.30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86753959502?pwd=ENbMea1ANIuzaa3wVs0kBstYrs16Re.1
Meeting ID: 867 5395 9502
Passcode: 334848
Wednesday 19th June @ 7.30pm (face to face)
Lakeland Community Care
1 Lattone Road
Belcoo
BT93 5AQ
Thursday 20th June @ 7.30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81576796515?pwd=1HVYgSfjGAA5YlQJHaGxCCa9AbZKtC.1
Meeting ID: 815 7679 6515
Passcode: 548477
Monday 24th June @ 7.30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81932698430?pwd=PEff1hNSCg5e2v5R14AvTbkMWvHxSD.1
Meeting ID: 819 3269 8430
Passcode: 739201
Tuesday 25th June @ 7.30pm (face to face)
The Bawnacre Centre,
35 Castle Street,
Irvinestown
BT94 1EE
Thursday 27th June @ 7.30pm
Omagh Community House, (Face to Face)
2 Drumragh Avenue,
OMAGH,
BT78 1DP
Oak Healthy Living Centre (Face to Face)
LITE House Building,
Cross Street,
Lisnaskea,
BT92 1JE
