The North East Region (NER) has been established to manage and deliver Axis 3 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme over the coming 4 years. The main objective of the Rural Development Programme is to improve the quality for life in rural areas by supporting a wide range of activities and innovative enterprises as well as creating employment opportunities.
The NER specifically deal with the rural wards (i.e. areas with a population of less than 4,500) located in the council areas of Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne and Moyle. To be eligible for funding under the NER development programme, any proposed project must be based or demonstrate a significant impact within the before mentioned rural areas.
The NER deals specifically with the following measures:
3.1 Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities
3.2 Business Creation and Development
3.3 Encouragement of Tourism Activities
3.4 Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population
3.5 Village Renewal and Development
3.6 Conservation and Upgrading the Rural Heritage
The first call for applications saw the NER receive almost 250 applications with a total value in excess of £9m, indicating the high level of local interest in developing rural initiatives. At present almost 70 of these applications, with a combined value of over £1.25m, have successfully received Letters of Offer and many more expected to receive such letters in the coming weeks.
Applications for funding for all measures with the exception of 3.5 will open on Monday 22nd February 2010 and close on Friday 14th May 2010. Measure 3.5 will open on 12th April 2010 and close on 18th June 2010.
If you have any queries or require further information on the application process, please visit our website, at www.northeastrdp.com, or contact the NER offices in Ballymena using the details below.
Applications are generally done online, but our project officers are available should you wish to discuss project eligibility prior to completing an application form.
Contact details are as follows:
Phone: 028 2563 8263
Fax: 028 2563 8984
Email: northeast.rdp@ballymena.gov.uk