Grow South Antrim

Application Call for Strategic Projects

GROW South Antrim is the delivery Agent for Axis 3 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) 2007-2013 - Rural Life.  The partnership delivers funding for projects in eligible rural areas within the Antrim, Carrickfergus, and Newtownabbey council areas.

APPLICATIONS FOR STRATEGIC PROJECTS

We are open for applications for strategic projects which are commensurate with the objectives of GROW's Rural Development Strategy. You should note that this is a competitive process with limited funding available. The measures under which applications are being sought are: 

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 of the Rural Heritage

Applications must be submitted on-line via the EU grants database (www.eugrants.org) and any supporting documentation in hard copy to the GROW South Antrim offices on or before 4pm on Monday 25^th June 2012.  

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

In addition to the general eligibility rules of the scheme only those applications meeting the following evidence based criteria at the close of the call will be admitted as eligible for consideration:

•1. Eligibility is limited to Local Authorities, NGO's and the Community Sector including Social Economy Enterprises;.

•2. Full Planning Permission (and other Statutory Requirements) must already have been applied for or already in place;

•3. The proposed start date is no later than 1^st April 2013;

•4. The planned end date is no later than 31^st December 2014;

•5. The project grant requirement is above £250k but less than £1m;

•6. The Project must be either Capital or Infrastructure;

•7. The Project Promoter/s matched funding must be at least 15%;

•8.  Robust project delivery costings must be in place at application stage;

•9.  A full business case or a recent (within last 12 months) independent Economic  Appraisal to 'Green Book' standard must be in place*; and

•10. All applications must evidence of consultation with the appropriate Local Council as a key informant.

*Where a project is deemed eligible and only a business case has been submitted,  the applicant must submit a full independent Economic Appraisal to 'Green Book' standard before the application can move to assessment stage and in any event no later than 31^st July 2012.

To find out more about the call or to discuss your strategic proposal in more detail, contact the GROW office T: 028 9448 1311 or email: info@growsouthantrim.com

The NIRDP 2007-2013 is part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural development (EAFRD) and is managed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.