Deadline Date: July 16, 2026
The Enterprise Partnership Fund Scheme provides grants to support innovative and experimental enterprise development projects delivered through collaboration with the local entrepreneurship ecosystem and Local Economic Partnership (LEP) in Derry City and Strabane.
The fund aims to accelerate business growth, improve business competitiveness, create sustainable employment opportunities, enable partnership-led enterprise development solutions, encourage innovation and experimentation, support new delivery models for enterprise support, leverage partner expertise and resources, improve outcomes for entrepreneurs and businesses, and enhance Derry City & Strabane’s position as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Funded by the Department for the Economy through the Regional Balance Fund, the Enterprise Partnership Fund forms part of the Derry Strabane Local Economic Partnership (LEP) Action Plan 2025–2028, delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council.
The competitive funding programme supports innovative and pilot enterprise development initiatives that respond to local economic needs. Projects should demonstrate measurable impact through collaboration, innovation and alignment with local economic priorities.
Eligible activities include innovative enterprise or pre-accelerator programmes, sector-specific enterprise initiatives, new mentoring or peer learning models, clustering activities, and experimental approaches supporting productivity, decarbonisation, inclusive growth and creative economic development solutions.
Applications are invited from experienced organisations working within the enterprise, business support, innovation or economic development ecosystem, including enterprise support organisations, third sector and social economy organisations, education and innovation bodies, and partnerships or consortia led by an eligible organisation.
Projects must be delivered on a not-for-profit basis and applicants must have a proven track record of delivering comparable enterprise or entrepreneurship programmes within the Derry and Strabane area. The lead partner responsible for project delivery must have an address within the Derry Strabane Council area.
The fund provides grants ranging from £5,000 to £15,000, covering up to 75% of eligible project costs. Applicants must provide a minimum of 25% match funding. Eligible costs include project materials, equipment, supplies, event costs, venue hire, catering, AV, marketing, accessibility costs, and specialist mentors or speakers.
Funding does not cover business operating costs such as salaries, rent, overheads, heating expenses, retrospective costs, or activities outside the Derry City & Strabane District Council area.
Applicants must demonstrate value for money through appropriate procurement processes and retain evidence of supplier quotations, pricing research or comparable cost information. Projects should also capture learning and demonstrate potential for future scalability.
For more information, visit Derry City & Strabane District Council.
