Southern Organisation for Action in Rural Areas

Overview

With the exception of Measure 3.1 Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities, which is directed specifically at farmers and farm families, there will be a wide variety of opportunities available to individuals and community groups, non-departmental public bodies and councils to apply to SOAR. Applicant projects should be located in a rural area.

• Measure 3.1 : Diversification into non-agricultural activities: To assist farm households to diversify into non-agricultural activities on farm and, as a consequence, maintain or increase the income of the farm households and create employment opportunities.
• Measure 3.2 : Support for business creation and development: To create employment opportunities through promoting entrepreneurship and developing the economic infrastructure in rural areas.
• Measure 3.3 : Encouragement of tourism activities: To use the natural resources in Northern Ireland’s rural areas to attract visitors, and create new employment opportunities through the sustainable development of the rural economy.
• Measure 3.4 : Basic services for the economy and rural population: To improve or maintain the living conditions and welfare of those living in rural areas, and to increase the attractiveness of such areas through the provision of more and better basic services, for the economy and the rural population.
• Measure 3.5 : Village renewal and development: To enable and encourage residents of villages and surrounding areas to create a vision and an integrated action plan to ensure the full potential of such areas is achieved;
• Measure 3.6 : Conservation and upgrading of rural heritage: To create opportunities to preserve and upgrade Northern Ireland’s rural heritage and to use the natural and built environment as the basis for sustainable economic growth in rural areas.

Grant Levels

The maximum grant for a private sector applicant is £50,000. This is at a rate of 50% eligible costs; i.e. your project would need to be in excess of £100,000 to apply for the maximum grant available.

Maximum grant for non departmental public body / council / social economy / community organisation applicant is £250,000. This is at a rate of 75% eligible costs; i.e. your project would need to be in excess of £333,333 to apply for the maximum grant available.

Funding will be delivered by SOAR across all six previously mentioned measures. Please click on link above of relevant measure for more information.

For those projects which require planning permission then at least outline planning permission must be secured before your application to SOAR will be accepted.

If your project is for tourist accommodation then full planning permission must be available before you submit your application to SOAR.