Rural Business Grants of up to £7,500
Capital grants up to a maximum of 50% grant rate are available to existing micro enterprises based in a rural area to support them to recover, sustain or grow through DAERA’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme. Grant aid of between £500 and £7,500 is available for projects costing up to £30,000. The scheme is now open for applications. Any micro business based in the rural areas of Lisburn, Castlereagh and Belfast should register their interest.
A micro business is a business with less than 10 employees.
You can apply for:
Grant aid is available for a range of capital items to help your business recover, become sustainable or to grow and diversify. Eligible items include:
- computer equipment
- e-commerce websites
- new equipment/ machinery
- mobile machinery, such as scissor lifts, forklifts, push and ride-on lawn mowers, mini excavators
Further details regarding eligibility are available in the guidance notes, which can be accessed here.
Is my business based in a rural area?
Rural areas are those with less than 5,000 residents and outside of designated urban areas. The scheme cannot support businesses based within the urban limits of Lisburn, Belfast, Dundonald or Carryduff.
If you’re unsure if your business location is eligible please ask for further details.
TRPSI workshop dates:
To help guide you through the process it is mandatory that you attend one of the following workshops:
- Thursday 2nd October 2025 from 10.30am to 11.30am online via Microsoft Teams. The link will be provided upon registration.
- Friday 10th October 2025 from 10.30am to 11.30am online via Microsoft Teams. The link will be provided upon registration.
- Friday 17th October 2025 from 10.30am to 11.30am online via Microsoft Teams. The link will be provided upon registration.
- Tuesday 21st October 2025 from 2.00pm to 3.00pm in the Oak Room, Lagan Valley Island
- Friday 24th October 2025 from 2.00pm to 3.00pm online via Microsoft Teams. The link will be provided upon registration.
- Tuesday 28th October 2025 from 2.00pm to 3.00pm via Microsoft Teams. The link will be provided upon registration.
Please email the team at grant.programmes@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk to register your attendance.
How do I apply?
The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme is open for applications. All applications must be received by 12 noon on Thursday 30 October 2025.
You can also contact our programmes team by email: grant.programmes@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk or phone 028 9244 7251.