Down Rural Area Partnership witness demand for rural funds (20-11-09)

20/10/2009

Over 190 applications have been submitted for the first round of funding which will see more than £13.5m invested in rural development projects across Ards, Banbridge, Down and North Down Council areas in the next four years.

The Local Action Group (Down Rural Area Partnership) has also opened three further measures for application. The number of applications in the first round to the measures of Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities, Business Creation and Development, and Encouragement of Tourism Activities has far exceeded expectations and will see the four Council areas benefit from investment in initiatives to improve the quality of life in rural communities. According to David Kerr, Chair of the Local Action Group, the response to the first round of applications augers well for the future "To receive this number of applications demonstrates clearly that local people have the vision and the will to work to improve the rural economy, rural services and rural life in general. The process of assessing the projects which have been submitted has begun and I look forward to seeing the first funds released and the first projects beginning,” A second call for applications for monies to help improve the quality of life in the Down Rural Area Partnership area has now been issued. Three measures are open; Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population; Village Renewal, and Conservation and Upgrading of the Rural Heritage. Private businesses, community groups, not-for-profit organisations and social economy enterprises, as well as individuals over the age of 18, can all take advantage of the funding opportunities. Applications can be made until the 13th January 2010 at 4pm through the EU Grants website www.eugrants.org or by hardcopy application form from Down Rural Area Partnership at Ards Business Centre, Sketrick House, Jubilee Road, Newtownards, BT23 4YH. Tel: 028 9182 0748, E: info@downruralareapartnership.com or log onto

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