Funding Opportunities

If you are receiving support through the Go Succeed service, you might be eligible to receive a grant which could help you take your business to the next level.

The grant will fund up to 70% of costs for capital and/or revenue items up to a maximum of £4,000. The grant could help you purchase a piece of specialist machinery to automate your production line to help increase overall productivity or computer software that will help you digitalise your day-to-day tasks to improve overall efficiency.

Find out more about Go Succeed Grants

DAERA has launched the 2024 Rural Business Development Grant Scheme which will deliver £1.55million in capital grants to support rural micro businesses across Northern Ireland.

The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme is funded through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs ‘Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation’ (TRPSI) Programme and is delivered in partnership with local Councils. 

Eligible rural businesses can apply for capital assistance of 50% up to the value of £4,999 for the purchase of capital equipment which will help their business to enhance sustainability or lead to growth opportunities and the creation of employment opportunities which in turn strengthen the rural economy.

Details of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme are on the DAERA website at:  

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/rural-business-development-grant-scheme-rbdgs

Only online applications can be accepted for this scheme. 

Please Note: Your business must be located in a rural area (This excludes the city of Bangor and the towns of Comber, Donaghadee, Holywood and Newtownards) & have less than 10 full time equivalent employees.

The Scheme opens for applications at 9.00am on the 16 October 2024 and closes at 12noon on the 8 November 2024.

You will need to login to the application portal by using your NI Direct or Government Gateway accounts.  If you are setting up a new account, please keep a note of your log in details as you will need these to access the system at different stages of the application, assessment, and grant claim stages.

If you forget your login details, it can cause delays in accessing your application. 

Mandatory Pre-Application Workshops will be taking place:

• 10am on Wednesday 23rd October 2024
• 6pm on Monday 28th October 2024
• 2pm on Thursday 31st October 2024

 These workshops will be held online via Teams.  Only those businesses who attend a mandatory workshop will be eligible to apply to the scheme.

Please email rbdgs@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk with your preferred workshop date, an invitation will be issued in advance of the workshop.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Regeneration Team: 

Telephone – 0300 013 3333 Ext 40918 or 40893

Email – rbdgs@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Mind Body Business is offering a small grant of financial support, up to £250 (per business and excluding VAT), to businesses based in Ards and North Down Borough who are interested in providing a workplace health and wellbeing initiative for their employees. Please read the guidance notes document for further information.

Click here for further details and to apply for the Mind Body Business grant.