2 week deadline for flagship projects

This Measure aims to support community based not-for-profit organisations or groups to address rural reconciliation through activities that promote the integration of economic, social, cultural and environmental assets of rural communities in contributing to the local development and regeneration of rural areas through major flagship projects.

The measure is initially targeted at the community, voluntary sector as part of the Rural Development Programme for Northern Ireland and offers financial assistance for rural communities engaging in peace-building, social inclusion and rural regeneration projects which meet the objectives and priorities of the programme.

The objectives are to assist rural communities promote:

• Their environment as a sustainable asset maximising the environmental potential for reconciliation and economic development;
• Their local identity, culture and heritage as a sustainable asset maximising the cultural potential for reconciliation and economic development; and
• Social capital (people, place and belonging) as a sustainable asset maximising the potential for reconciliation and economic development.

Eligibility Criteria

• High Peace & Reconciliation outputs in both the Distinctiveness and Reconciliation Criteria;
• Economic Appraisal completed (Copy of Appraisal to be submitted with application)
• Outline Planning Permission obtained and Full Planning Permission applied for (if applicable); (Copy of Planning Permission to be submitted with application)
• Appropriate legal title of the property/land (if applicable) (Copy of legal title to be submitted with application)
• Match Funding for Project Secured via Letter of Offer (Copies of Letters of Offer to be submitted with application)
• Demonstrate that project can be completed by June 2008 (Copy of time frame for project implementation to be submitted with application)

Who will be funded
Applications are invited from community based not-for profit organisations or groups located in or impacting upon rural communities of Northern Ireland. RDC has a limited budget and therefore wish to support projects offering maximum community impact through peace & reconciliation outputs.

Applications from community organisations or groups representing the interests of farming/farm families, youth, women, long-term unemployed and disabled sectors will be particularly welcomed.

Available support
The minimum total project cost should not be below £500k and maximum total project cost should not be above £1m. A limited budget is available and only a small number of projects will be funded. Expenditure must be complete by June 2008. If your project is likely to need longer than this to implement you are advised not to apply. No project will be funded to 100%and demonstration of secured match funding must be available.

Applying for support
Please remember that to apply for funding you must complete parts A & B of the application form. Your application will only be deemed complete when both parts of the form have been received. The application, together with further details and guidance on how to apply are included in the application pack and on www.rdc.org.uk

The closing date for applications is JULY 10 2007