Current Grants/Programmes/Webinars

Monday October 21st 2024

Current business programmes, events and awards that may be of interest to you.

Items in this Edition

1. Rural Business Development Grant Scheme
2. Cluster Acceleration Programme
3. Mid Ulster Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair
4. Ambition to Grow
5. Innovate Tourism Roadshow
6. Net Zero Programme Webinar
7. Go Succeed Events

 

Rural Business Development Grant Scheme
(Grants for up to £4,999)

Do you operate a micro business? (i.e. you employ less than 10 full-time equivalent employees)

Is your business based in a rural area?  (a rural area is defined as an area with a population of less than 5,000 residents and outside designated urban areas of Magherafelt, Dungannon, Cookstown and Coalisland). 

If so you may be eligible to apply for capital funding under the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme.

This scheme aims to support the sustainability, recovery and development of micro rural businesses across Northern Ireland by providing a small capital grant for the business.

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.

Applications opened at 9am on 16 October 2024 and close at 12 noon on Friday 8 November 2024.

All businesses intending to apply must attend a virtual pre-application funding workshop. To register for a workshop please email rdp@midulstercouncil.org. Dates and times for the workshops are available through the link below.

Funding for this scheme is provided through the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and this grant aid Programme is administered and managed by local Councils.

Rural Business Grant: More Information

 

Cluster Acceleration Programme​

The £11 million Cluster Acceleration Programme (CAP), is designed by Invest Northern Ireland, aiming to boost innovation and productivity among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Ireland by supporting and funding the formation of business clusters over the next ten years.
Businesses will benefit from the programme on two levels:
Phase One Feasibility Study – up to £60,000 for networks of 8-10 SMEs to explore innovative projects.
Phase Two Cluster Project – up to £1,000,000 for selected clusters from Phase One studies.
The programme will also deliver best practice events, cluster manager training, networking opportunities, and interactive workshops.

The deadline for applications is 3pm on Friday 20 December 2024.

Cluster Acceleration Programme: More information

 

Ambition to Grow- Supporting Women​

Invest Northern Ireland has opened applications for their Ambition to Grow- Supporting Women programme. In partnership with Women in Business NI, the programme supports Northern Ireland’s most innovative and ambitious woman-led start-ups and small businesses. It aims to help businesses grow by creating jobs, innovating processes, and selling outside Northern Ireland.

Eligible participants can receive up to £30,000 in funding, broken down as follows:

Participants also have the opportunity to network with other women entrepreneurs.

The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Friday 8 November 2024.

Ambition to Grow: More Information

Innovate Tourism Roadshows​

Innovate Tourism launched in February 2024 and Tourism NI is continuing to partner with Innovate NI to host a new series of regional interactive workshops. These workshops are designed to demonstrate the importance of innovation for your business, what innovation means in a tourism context, and how to turn your ideas into tangible added value for your business.
Learn how to drive business growth, improve efficiency, and meet customer expectations. This event will offer you the opportunity to talk to experts on a one-to-one basis. You will be provided with advice and guidance, including what funding support is available, to help you to generate new and exciting ideas to grow your business.

These workshops will run from 10am – 2.30pm*, including a working lunch, and will take place across three locations as follows:
•    Tuesday 5th November: Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh
•    Wednesday 6th November: Dunadry Hotel, Antrim
•    Thursday 7th November: Killeavy Castle Estate, Newry

Innovate Tourism Roadshow: Registration

 

Net Zero Programme Webinar- Engaging Stakeholders & Building Partnerships​

This online event is focused on engaging stakeholders and building partnerships, with insightful discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.
Learn from industry experts and connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about collaboration and community engagement. This event is designed to inspire and equip you with the tools you need to effectively engage stakeholders and forge meaningful partnerships

Date: Thursday 24th October 2024
Time: 1pm
Location: Online

Net Zero Programme Webinar: Registration

 

Draft Programme for Government Virtual Session​

Virtual session on the Draft Programme for Government 2024-2027 – Social Enterprise NI
Date: Thursday 24 October 2024
Time: 2pm
Location: Online

 

Please note that Mid Ulster District Council have a dedicated Business Support Section established on its website providing up-to-date information the business community.  https://www.midulstercouncil.org/business

 

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