Application

Application & Guidance

Anyone wishing to submit an application for funding to Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme must do so on-line via http://www.eugrants.org.

If you do not have access to the internet and/or you experience difficulty accessing this form and/or submitting your online application, a paper copy can be requested from the ARC North West office. Completed paper copies (signed and dated) must be returned to the ARC North West office. Please note faxed or emailed copies WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The Guidance notes which accompany the application form are available to download by going to the Application & Guidance section of this website. Applicants are advised to print these Guidance Notes.

The application form will allow staff to collect essential project details and to carry out an eligibility check.

All project details and information will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

Applying Online

• Online Application – http://www.eugrants.org
• Click on Grant Application
• Select ‘new applicant’ and click on register. New applicants are required to register before completing the application form.
• Once registered click on New Application
• From the drop menus select the following:
• Programme: Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013
• Priority: Axis 3
• Measure: 3.1 (Farm Diversification), 3.2 (Business Creation & Development), 3.3 (Encouragement of Tourism Activities), 3.4 (Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population) or 3.6 (Conservation and Upgrading of Rural Heritage)
• You will now be able to view the Measures that are currently open.
• Opposite ARC North West (Assisting Rural Communities in the North West) click on APPLY
• Complete the application.
• If you wish to print a copy of the application form for your records you must do so before clicking on ‘submit’
• Please also record your Username, Password and Reference Number for future reference.

How will the Application be Processed?

Upon receipt all applications will be checked for eligibility. If deemed eligible a site visit will be carried out to gather additional project details and to collect supporting documentation, including for example:

• Project financial details
• Copy of organisation business plan, if available
• Existing organisations – 2 year profit and loss accounts and balance sheets
• Farm Diversification projects – If you are not the farm owner, you must provide written evidence that you have the permission of the farm owner to proceed with the proposed project. The permission must also include a statement that the applicant is exercising an agricultural activity on the farm at the time of the application.
• Evidence of match funding, for example letter from financial institution
• Copy of statutory approvals, for example planning permission if applicable

Please Note: Any Self Catering project application must have full planning permission in place before the application can be submitted. If planning permission documents are not verified the application will be rejected. A promoter may not use the same planning permission approval for more than one application and the project proposal must exactly reflect the planning permission approval.

Applications will be subject to an economic appraisal and checks with statutory agencies as necessary for eligibility and funding duplication purposes. The project will be scored by an Assessment Panel against set criteria and recommendations forwarded to the Local Action Group for consideration and recommendation to the Joint Committee. Recommendations will be subject to approval by the Joint Committee.

ARC North West will operate a phased call for applications. All calls for applications will be publicly advertised in newspapers across the cluster area. Details on opening and closing dates will be available on the Application section of this website. ARC North West will aim to process applications and communicate decisions within 3 months of closing dates. Please note this timescale may be extended depending on the volume of applications received. Should this be necessary applicants will be informed. If you have any questions at any stage of the application process, please contact us and we will provide you with any advice and information you may need.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a competitive programme. The submission of an expression of interest, an application for financial assistance, an acknowledgement, or the completion of an assessment process DOES NOT indicate that your application is eligible for consideration or that the project will be awarded financial assistance.

How to Apply

Apply Online http://www.eugrants.org/

Axis 3 Guidance Notes

Details of measures

Measure 3.1 Diversification into Non- Agricultural Activities Through this measure, the RDP aims to increase farm household income and create employment opportunities by providing assistance for farm households to diversify into non-agricultural activities on farm.

Measure 3.2 Business Creation and Development Through this measure, the RDP aims to develop the economic infrastructure in rural areas by creating employment opportunities and promoting entrepreneurship. The programme will provide support for existing micro-enterprise and for individuals wishing to set up a new micro enterprise in a non-agricultural sector.

Measure 3.3 Encouragement of Tourism Activities Through this measure the RDP offers support to maximise opportunities for tourism development which make best use of natural and cultural resources. By supporting sustainable development of the rural economy, the RDP aims to attract visitors and create new employment opportunities by providing support to existing rural tourism enterprises and for individuals wishing to develop tourism activities.

Measure 3.4 Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population Through this measure the RDP aims to increase the attractiveness of rural areas by supporting the improvement of basic services. This will include the improvement of cultural and leisure activities and related small scale infrastructure. Support will also be provided towards the costs of identifying need in rural areas.

Measure 3.5 Village Renewal and Development In order to support integrated village initiatives which promote community development and regeneration, the RDP will support animation and capacity building within and between villages and their surrounding rural areas. This will include the formulation of integrated action plans to define the role of villages and fully develop the potential of rural areas.

Measure 3.6 Conservation and Upgrading the Rural Heritage Through this measure, the RDP aims to use the natural resources in the North West Cluster area to create new employment opportunities and develop the rural economy. This will be achieved through supporting local initiatives to preserve and upgrade the rural heritage.