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GrantNorthern IrelandLisburn and Castlereagh City Council

Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (Lisburn and Castlereagh)

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council

Description

Capital grants for existing rural micro-businesses in Lisburn and Castlereagh to buy equipment, machinery, digital tools, or e-commerce development, funded through DAERA's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme and delivered jointly by the council and Belfast City Council.

Amount

£500–£7,500 (up to 50% of eligible capital project costs)

Deadline

Rolling / no fixed deadline

Eligibility summary

  • Available in: Northern Ireland.
  • Applicant must be a registered business.
Notes
Funded via DAERA's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme; delivered jointly by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Belfast City Council. Requires attendance at a mandatory pre-application workshop. The 2026/27 round opened 29 June 2026 and closed 12 noon on 30 July 2026 — recurs annually, check the council website for the next window.
Requirement
Micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees, located in an eligible rural area of Lisburn and Castlereagh (excludes the urban limits of Lisburn, Belfast, Dundonald, and Carryduff).

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How to apply

Register for and attend a mandatory pre-application workshop, then apply online using the council's guidance notes.

View official source

Other areas' version of this scheme

Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (Lisburn and Castlereagh) is run locally — here's the same scheme in other areas.

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Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

Capital grants for existing small rural businesses in Antrim and Newtownabbey to buy equipment, machinery, computers, or build an e-commerce website, funded through DAERA's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme and delivered locally by the council.

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Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (Derry City and Strabane)

Derry City and Strabane District Council

Capital grants for existing rural micro-businesses in Derry City and Strabane to buy equipment, machinery, computers, or build an e-commerce website, funded through DAERA's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme and delivered locally by the council.

£500–£7,500 (up to 50% of eligible capital project costs)Rolling / no fixed deadlineNorthern IrelandDerry City and Strabane District Council
Grant

Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (Fermanagh and Omagh)

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council

Capital grants for existing rural micro-businesses in Fermanagh and Omagh to buy equipment, machinery, computers, or build an e-commerce website, funded through DAERA's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme and delivered locally by the council.

Up to £7,500 (up to 50% of eligible capital project costs)Rolling / no fixed deadlineNorthern IrelandFermanagh and Omagh District Council
Grant

Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (Mid and East Antrim)

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Capital grants for existing rural micro-businesses in Mid and East Antrim to buy equipment, machinery, computer equipment/software, or build an e-commerce website, funded through DAERA's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme and delivered locally by the council.

£500–£7,500 (up to 50% of eligible capital project costs)Rolling / no fixed deadlineNorthern IrelandMid and East Antrim Borough Council
Grant

Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (Mid Ulster)

Mid Ulster District Council

Capital grants for existing rural micro-businesses in Mid Ulster to buy equipment, machinery, computer equipment/software, or build an e-commerce website, funded through DAERA's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme and delivered locally by the council.

£500–£7,500 (up to 50% of eligible capital project costs)Rolling / no fixed deadlineNorthern IrelandMid Ulster District Council
Grant

Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (Newry, Mourne and Down)

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

Capital grants for eligible rural businesses across the Newry, Mourne and Down district to invest in equipment and infrastructure that improves productivity and competitiveness, funded through DAERA's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme and administered by the council on the department's behalf.

Up to £7,500 (minimum 50% match funding required)Rolling / no fixed deadlineNorthern IrelandNewry, Mourne and Down District Council

Last verified: 23 August 2026. See the footer disclaimer — this is general information, not financial or tax advice.