Programme Details

SWARD (South West Section For Rural Development)) has been set up to manage and deliver Axis 3 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 across Cookstown, Dungannon, Magherafelt and Fermanagh.

Axis 3 of the programme contains the following measures:

Measure 3.1 Diversification into non-agricultural activities - farmers and members of farm families

Measure 3.2 Business Creation and Development - Private Sector Businesses and Social Economy Businesses

Measure 3.3 Encouragement of Tourism Activities – Private Sector, Social Economy Organisations and Public Bodies

Measure 3.4 Basic Services – Private Sector, Social Economy, Public Bodies, Community-Based

Measure 3.5 Village Renewal and Development – Private Sector, Social Economy, Public Bodies, Community-Based

                     Completed integrated Village Action Plans may be viewed upon request

Measure 3.6 Conservation and Upgrading of Heritage – Private Sector, Social Economy, Public Bodies, Community-Based

Rural Childcare

INELIGIBLE AREAS

The development zones of Cookstown, Dungannon, Coalisland, Magherafelt and Enniskillen are ineligible for support.

View the development limits of the above areas or contact the SWARD office on 028 867 64714 for guidance on projects located in an urban location.

Eligible Expenditure

Grant aid can be awarded towards capital and resource costs, including for example:

• Capital items, including building works and signage
• Non-mobile equipment
• Feasibility studies and business plans
• Professional fees
• Marketing.

Please note that these lists are not exhaustive and each application is considered on an individual basis.

SWARD is unable to fund:

• Projects that have already commenced
• Projects where there is a clear statutory responsibility
• Mainstream agricultural activities
• Retail enterprises, except where the outlet itself is an integral part of a craft production facility or a farm shop
• Service or distribution businesses, unless they are innovative in your area
• Projects that create economic displacement
• The purchase of buildings
• Private dwellings or laneways
• The purchase of land (exceptions may apply)
• Motor vehicles
• Mobile infrastructure, except specialised infrastructure for specific project requirements
• Business running costs, including salaries
• Own labour costs
• Projects with negative environmental impacts
• Existing festivals and events
• Provision of additional B&B bed spaces.

Grant aid is available to the private sector at 50% match funding. For example, if your total eligible project cost is £40,000, you can apply to SWARD for a maximum grant of £20,000.

Grant aid is available to social economy enterprises and non-departmental public bodies at 75% match funding. For example, if your total eligible project cost is £40,000, you can apply to SWARD for a maximum grant of £30,000.

Please note that details of maximum funding amounts can be found under each measure

MATCH FUNDING

Match funding can be made up of private, public or contribution-in-kind.

Private match funding – can be cash, non EU sourced bank loans or donations from Trusts.

Public match funding – must be non-EU sourced public funding

Contribution in Kind – this is only available to social economy enterprise, non-departmental public body and local council applications. It is limited to 20% of the total project cost and must be matched by a 5% cash contribution.   Contributions must be evidenced and linked directly to the project, for example, the supply of land, property, equipment, raw materials and unpaid work.