Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA): Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme

Overview

The programme encourages all sectors of the agri-food industry to work together and will provide financial assistance for eligible additional activities. It is not designed to substitute existing activities already funded by applicants.

Programme Objectives

The objectives of the programme are:

• to assist the NI agri-food industry to develop and expand profitable and sustainable markets;
• to assist the development of a sustainable and thriving rural economy by raising the profile of quality NI food and
• to increase integration and efficiency within the NI agrifood supply chain through enhanced co-operation and communication between/ within sectors.

Awards will be made on a competitive basis and only eligible projects that are judged to have best met the programme objectives will receive funding. Hence some projects which are eligible in principle may not automatically be funded.

New projects will be supported at a more favourable rate than those that have received support through a past NIRFP programme, unless the latter can demonstrate additional development.

Established projects that have previously received funding will not receive support unless they demonstrate significant additional enhancement i.e. introduction of new elements / improvements that augment the achievement of the programme objectives.

Who can apply?

• Formally constituted not for profit groups who have an NI membership/remit and plan to deliver projects that raise the profile of NI regional food products.
• Registered Charities who have an NI membership/remit and plan to deliver projects that raise the profile of NI regional food products.
• Not for profit regional development agencies who have an NI membership/remit and plan to deliver projects that raise the profile of NI regional food products.
• Joint applications from not for profit groups and/or charities or regional development agencies who have an NI membership/remit and plan to deliver projects that raise the profile of NI regional food products.

Individuals or companies cannot apply unless they fall into one of the above categories. All applicants must have an associated bank account.

Project Eligibility

For the purpose of this programme, the definition of NI regional food is that it must be grown/produced or processed in NI. It should meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Exceed minimum national and EU legal requirements/ standards in relation to hygiene, traceability, animal welfare.
• Adhere to quality assurance schemes which are above minimum legal requirements.
• Promote the EU Protected Food Name Scheme.

To be considered eligible for support, projects must satisfy the principles underpinning government funding as outlined in ‘Managing Public Money Northern Ireland’ 2008. 

What should be delivered under the programme?

NIRFP 2025-26 seeks to deliver projects under three categories of support - Regional Fairs/Exhibitions; Seminars/Workshops; Information Programmes.

Category 1: Regional Fairs/Exhibitions Eligible Items

The organisation of/ participation in, fairs/exhibitions that raise the profile of quality, regional agri-food products, and impact on a sustainable and thriving rural economy through inclusion of local food producers and processors. e.g. new and existing food-focused events, generic events and agricultural shows with a food element, trade shows (not already supported by Invest NI), and farmers markets.

• Event publicity - Production and distribution of printed materials (leaflets, posters, advertisements etc) and websites/social media platforms announcing the event.
• Hire of venue and hire of space for general display. Please note funding for in-kind support will not be considered.
• Participation fees - Hire of staff and equipment for professional cookery demonstrations; provision of hospitality during event (media / food writers/ trade buyers).
•  Travel costs - Media / food writers / trade buyers (grocery retailers/food service organisations).
  • Any branding/logos used in conjunction with regional fairs/exhibitions must be agreed in advance with the NIRFP management team.
  • Applications will not be accepted for major trade shows where Invest NI plan to support NI agri-food companies to attend.
  • Participation in the events / programmes must not be restricted to the

Category 2: Seminars/ Workshops Eligible Items

Provision of knowledge transfer activities that contribute to raising the profile of quality regional agri-food products e.g. ‘meet the buyer’ workshops, producer/ food forums, and seminars addressing quality aspects of regional food including Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI).

• Hire of venue - Please note funding for in-kind support will not be considered.
• Organising costs
• Presenters
• Provision of invitations
• Compilation and distribution of educational/informational material to producers.
  • Publications must be of an educational/informational nature and must not encourage economic operators or consumers to buy a particular agricultural product. Publications must comply with the rules under Category 3 Information Programmes. · Any branding/logos used in conjunction with seminars and workshops must be agreed in advance with the NIRFP management team to ensure compliance with State Aid rules.

Category 3: Information Programmes Eligible Items

Projects that raise awareness of quality regional agri-food products among the wider public that are in full compliance with State Aid requirements as outlined below e.g. quality schemes including PDO, PGI and generic promotion campaigns.

• Production and distribution of factual information material (in print /electronic media/radio/television). e.g. description of regional food culture, description of quality assurance schemes, production methods, food safety standards and measures, hygiene, traceability, animal welfare etc.
• Costs for the dissemination of scientific knowledge and factual information on generic agricultural products e.g. their nutritional benefits / suggested uses.
  • Promotion campaigns must be
    • (a) focused on products covered by quality schemes as defined in Appendix 1
  • OR
    • (b) generic in character and for the benefit of all producers of the type of product concerned (no mention of specific companies, brands or origin permitted).
  • Publications must not refer to any particular undertaking, brand name or origin. This restriction does not apply to the reference to origin for products covered by (a) quality schemes established under the EU regulations cited in Appendix 1.1 (including PDO and PGI) OR
  • (b) quality schemes recognised by Member States as outlined in Appendix 1.2, provided reference to origin is secondary in the message.
  • Any branding/logos used in conjunction with information programmes must be agreed in advance with the NIRFP management team.

Level of Financial Support

Category 1-3: If successful, you will receive financial assistance of up to 40% of expenditure against eligible project items. Financial assistance will not be provided for items until they have been paid in full.

You may be eligible to claim for a management fee relating solely to the project. The management fee will be up to a maximum of 10% of total eligible project costs, subject to overall budgetary constraints and provision of evidence of management fee breakdown.

Requirements:

For full details see guidance notes.