Rural Childcare

Click to apply online - www.eugrants.org (opens new window) In the event of this website not working, a completed application form (in Word format) may be emailed to us before the relevant deadline. *Please note: We prefer your application is made online through the eugrants.org website to avoid duplication of effort.*

What will this Measure do?
This programme offers opportunities for farm family, community, social enterprise and private sector solutions to local childcare needs.

 Why?
Rural areas face particular and distinct challenges in relation to the delivery of and access to rural childcare services. Only 8% of NI rural after-schools are located in the cluster area; less than 1% of crèches; 5% of the total nurseries; and 10% of the total playgroup provision. (Rural Childcare Report Investing in the Future 2008)

This calls for specific and targeted rural solutions:

• To enable rural dwellers achieve their full economic and social potential
• To improve access to rural childcare
• To deliver sustainable childcare solutions

Who can benefit?
Applications are invited from social economy, private sector, community-based organisations

Please note: This is a competitive programme.

What type of projects can be supported?
Contact Project Officer for advice on the eligibility of your project

Examples of projects could include:

• Improve the business management skills of providers & volunteers
• Support extended childcare solutions in areas of identified need
• Deliver on or off-farm rural childcare enterprises
• Encourage wrap around childcare services (all day care)
• Develop childminding networks or services

What type of grant and how much?

You can top up the maximum grant to £50,000 if you add an approved maximum £10,000 renewable energy element to your project.

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Youth  

Click to apply online - www.eugrants.org (opens new window) In the event of this website not working, a completed application form (in Word format) may be emailed to us before the relevant deadline. *Please note: We prefer your application is made online through the eugrants.org website to avoid duplication of effort.*

What will this Measure do?
This programme focuses specifically on young people and offers a number of opportunities for young people to engage in rural development activities.

In particular it seeks to develop and encourage rural innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise among rural young people helping to support a more sustainable rural economy now and in the future.

 Why?
Rural areas have a higher proportion of young people leading to an increased need for local employment opportunities to retain young people in the community. To increase the participation of young people in rural development activities calls for specific and targeted rural solutions.

This Measure will help young people:

• To actively engage in local development
• To realise opportunities for enterprise development

Who can benefit?
Applications are invited from social economy, private sector, community-based organisations

Please note: This is a competitive programme

What type of projects can be supported?
Contact Project Officer for advice on the eligibility of your project

Examples of projects could include:

• Encouraging Young Enterprise - supporting ideas generation and enterprise awareness designed specifically for young people and delivered locally through schools, youth clubs and community centres.
• Give me 5 – a small grants programme specifically designed to support youth led projects. The type of project may vary. It could be developing a community garden; designing a local newsletter; creating a den; working with new technologies; learning hip hop dance or digital photography. What is important is youth involvement in the design, development and management of the project. Application forms will ask for 5 key reasons for the project and 5 key outcomes to be delivered along with costs.

Grants of up to £5,000 at 75% are available for youth led projects from youth groups; clubs and organisations.
This is a competitive programme and applications will be assessed against predetermined criteria.
Not all projects can be funded.  

• Youth in2 Enterprise – a small grants programme specifically designed to support young enterprise. If you are aged between 18 and 25 and you have an idea for a business and require a small grant to get started you can apply.

 If you need help with ideas generation remember you can participate in the young enterprise awareness programme. Please note participation does not guarantee a future offer of grant.

Participants on this programme should avail of the FREE ‘Start a Business Programme.’ The ‘Start a Business Programme’ supported by Invest Northern Ireland offers advice, training, business planning and IT assistance associated with business start up.

The ‘Exploring Enterprise’ programme of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme is designed to complement the ‘Start a Business Programme’ and offers grant assistance and additional technical support outside the scope of the ‘Start a Business Programme’.

Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of engagement on the Start a Business Programme.

What type of grant and how much?

You can top up the maximum grant to £50,000 if you add an approved maximum £10,000 renewable energy element to your project.

This is a competitive programme and applications will be assessed against predetermined criteria.

Not all projects can be funded.

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