Deadline Date: July 30, 2026
The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme is inviting applications to support rural micro enterprises in Northern Ireland to improve sustainability and support business growth.
The focus areas include rural business development, micro enterprise support, capital investment, business sustainability, economic growth in rural areas, social economy enterprises, and small business development.
The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme 2026 is funded under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework. It offers capital grants to support the development and sustainability of micro businesses operating in rural areas.
The scheme is designed to help existing rural micro enterprises grow by providing financial assistance for capital items. It supports businesses that are actively trading and located in rural areas, contributing to local economic stability and development.
Funding covers up to 50 percent of eligible capital costs, with grants ranging from £500 to £7,500. The total project cost must be between £1,000 and £30,000, and applicants are required to provide match funding to cover remaining costs.
Eligible applicants include rural micro businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees that are registered and actively trading. Applicants must meet requirements related to insurance, banking, documentation, and project delivery capacity.
For more information, visit Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
