This scheme is targeted at social enterprises who meet the following criteria:

• Currently trading income*
• Trading income for at least 2 years (evidenced by accounts);
• Based in a rural area in Northern Ireland

This scheme will NOT provide funding for accommodation, childcare provision or gyms/sports provision. Any such applications will not be considered.

Only one application per enterprise is allowed and applicants must be 18 years of age or over to apply.

*Trading income is the activity of buying and selling goods or services. Examples of Trading Income can be defined by the following items outlined below. Trading income is primarily identified as ‘unrestricted income’ within an organisation’s Annual Accounts submitted to Companies House / Charity Commission as per legal requirements.

Included

• Buying and Selling of Goods
• SLAs
• Provision of a service for which there is a charge
• Other Contracted Services

Not Included

• Grants
• Fundraising
• Donations

Applicants who were successful in obtaining grant from the Rural Social Economy Investment Pilot Scheme 2020 can only apply to this scheme if the project funded has been completed and all grant payments made.

Applicants should note that anyone applying to the scheme will NOT automatically get a grant as there is a limited budget. Consequently, a competitive process will be applied to all applications to assess how well they fit the scheme objectives outlined in section 2, whilst providing best value for taxpayers’ money.