SECTION 1 - Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016
1A. Name of Public Authority.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
Causeway Coast and Glens Grant Funding Policy is to outline the Council’s agreed approach to Grant Funding in relation to resourcing external bodies to assist in the delivery of Council’s strategic objectives and priorities.
1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.
Revising a policy, strategy and plan.
1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.
Causeway Coast and Glens Grant Funding Policy
1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
The overall aim of the funding process is: ‘To have a consistent, customer focused process with relevant assessment and evaluation procedures with appropriate appeal and monitoring systems in place.’
The objectives of this policy are to ensure that all funding and grants allocated will:
Further the objectives as outlined within the Community Plan and Council’s Corporate Plan - Target resources to meet identified needs
Maximise leverage (for example in kind contributions or match funding) - Maximise sustainability (economic, environmental and social)
Achieve greater accountability and openness. Ensure Equality and the promotion of Good Relations are considered in all applications in line with section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 - Provide guidance to officers, members and voluntary and community organisations on policy for funding and support of local groups.
1F. What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition) and other definition.
Details of alternative definition of ‘rural’ used:
- Definition can be open to Level of activity of rural participants within a project.
Rationale for using alternative definition of ‘rural’:
- Reasons why a definition of ‘rIn some instances, the grant can be put towards activities within a settlement of more than 5000 population, yet due to the rural makeup of our Council the main beneficiaries may still be rural participants. Therefore, the alternative definition allows for improved reporting and actual impact determination.
Reasons why a definition of 'rural’ is not applicable. N/A
SECTION 2 - Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?
Yes.
2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.
Nearly 48% of Causeway Coast and Glens is classed as Rural outside the main settlements of Coleraine, Limavady, Ballymoney, and Ballycastle. The Grant Funding Policy applies across the entire council area with consideration given to organisations within all settlements classed as urban/rural. The policy aims to have a positive approach to help develop and sustain important aspects of the Rural Communities such as;
-Business and Economic Growth - Cultural Heritage in rural areas -Good relations in legacy rural communities
-Community Development - Policing and Safety issues in rural areas - Sports and Wellbeing Development
-Tourism opportunities within rural areas - Legacy Twinned opportunities
The policy will impact the rural communities directly as funding within the economic climate is essential, not only to the development of rural community organisations and business groups but to their existence.
The policy aims to achieve greater transparency, accountability and openness through Causeway Coast and Glens funding process and provide opportunities for all eligible groups within the Council’s urban/rural area to apply for all funding support.
Considerations: -
1. In some instances, emphasis will be given to groups within rural areas where applicable (RBDGS etc)
2. Monitoring through grant management system to determine grant activity within rural settlements.
3. Online Portal allows all groups to access application process.
2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.
The Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 (the Act) provides a statutory duty on public authorities to have due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising policies, strategies and plans, and when designing and delivering public services. The policy itself will not have a different impact on people living either within urban and rural areas, although it has been noted that actual information delivery methods will impact people living in urban and rural areas differently.
The Funding Roadshows provide information on all of Causeway Coast and Glens Councils grants and support offered from the Funding Unit team. These Roadshows are annually delivered within the four main urban settlements of Coleraine, Limavady, Ballymoney, and Ballycastle. Although no roadshows are held within settlements classed as rural, targeted invitations are distributed through various channels such as an email contact list, social media platforms, local groups, other Council department outreach and politicians representing rural areas of the Borough.
Information provided through the funding roadshows is available to all people within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough through a variety of methods to suit both rural and urban applicants (post/electronic/verbal etc.) and all information is available on our website: https://www.causewaycoastandgl...
Councils Funding Policy statement reads ‘Council is committed to distributing available grants fairly, efficiently and effectively. The purpose of this policy is to outline the Council’s agreed approach to Grant Funding in relation to resourcing external bodies to assist in the delivery of Council’s strategic objectives and priorities.
2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.
The impacts are dependent on the grant usage/project funded and could cover or include in full or any part of; any of the above rural policy areas.
2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.
N/A
SECTION 3 - Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Yes.
3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
Consultation with Rural Stakeholders and Other Organisations.
3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.
The identification of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas has been informed primarily through ongoing engagement with local elected representatives, who represent all electoral areas across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough, including a significant number of rural communities. These representatives bring direct insight into the lived experiences, priorities, and challenges of their constituents and are well-positioned to highlight rural needs across a range of policy areas.
The Grant Funding Policy is developed, adopted, and reviewed annually by the Council’s relevant committee structures, which include members from both rural and urban areas. This ensures that evolving needs within rural communities are continuously considered and reflected in the policy framework.
In addition, the Council’s Funding Unit works in collaboration with elected members and local stakeholders throughout the year to evaluate the effectiveness of funding delivery and to refine service methods. This includes discussions informed by local knowledge, community engagement, and feedback from grant applicants and recipients.
As part of ongoing service improvement, the Council has introduced a new online funding portal, which enables applicants to complete the full grant process digitally. This platform has received positive feedback from local representatives and community groups, including those in rural areas, for improving accessibility and efficiency. Feedback mechanisms remain in place to monitor its effectiveness and to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of rural applicants.
While no formal surveys or external publications were used during the latest review cycle, the continuous consultation with community stakeholders and other representatives form the foundation for understanding and responding to rural social and economic needs.
3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?
The social and economic needs of people living in rural areas across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area have been identified through continuous engagement with elected representatives and community stakeholders. These needs are reflected in the Council’s ongoing commitment to delivering a range of targeted grant programmes that support Community and Social Development, Sports and Wellbeing, Community Safety, Good Relations, Cultural and Arts Development, Capital Infrastructure for community and sports facilities, and Business Enterprise initiatives.
The consistent oversubscription to these annual grant programmes highlights a sustained demand for support across both urban and rural settlements, underscoring the pressing need within rural communities for enhanced resources and funding opportunities.
Council is actively addressing rural needs through the implementation of major strategic initiatives, including the Small Settlements Regeneration Programme, Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal, Go Succeed Programme, and Peace Plus Projects—all of which have a direct focus on rural inclusion and development.
Specific rural-focused interventions such as the Rural Business Investment Scheme, Rural Development Programme, Village Renewal Scheme, Rural Broadband Scheme, Rural Basic Services Scheme have been established to directly tackle rural inequalities. These schemes were developed based on detailed assessments of need and have contributed significantly to improving rural life by addressing poverty, enhancing social inclusion, supporting education, encouraging local enterprise, and promoting good relations.
These outcomes have been further strengthened through sustained collaboration between the Council and Local Action Groups, creating valuable networking opportunities and enabling rural communities to work collectively on shared goals.
The volume and scope of funding requested and delivered to rural communities to date clearly evidences the depth of social and economic need identified by the Council and its ongoing commitment to addressing these challenges through strategic funding interventions.
If the response to Section 3A was YES GO TO Section 4A.
3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?
N/A
SECTION 4 - Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
The Grant Funding Policy sets out the overarching framework and procedures the Council follows in the administration of funding awards. While the policy itself does not define specific social and economic needs, these are identified through ongoing engagement with elected representatives, strategic objectives outlined in the Council’s Corporate Plan, and through direct feedback from communities.
The breadth and focus of over 20+ grant programmes delivered annually reflect the Council’s commitment to addressing identified needs across the Borough, including those in rural areas. These programmes support a wide range of themes, including:
• Community and Social Development
• Sports and Wellbeing
• Community Safety
• Good Relations
• Cultural and Arts Development
• Community and Sports Capital Infrastructure
• Business Enterprise
• Environmental Enhancement
All grant awards are made based on demonstrated need, which often includes rural areas. As noted in the previous section, these programmes align with recognised rural policy areas and can address multiple aspects of rural life depending on the nature of each project.
To date, these schemes have made a significant contribution to rural development by:
• Enhancing quality of life in rural communities
• Tackling rural poverty and social isolation
• Supporting education, training, and youth development
• Increasing social interaction and improving community safety
• Promoting cultural engagement, networking, and collaborative working
Oversubscription to these programmes is a recurring feature, clearly highlighting the widespread demand and underlying social and economic need across both urban and rural areas of the Borough.
Further evidence of rural need is reflected in the Council’s delivery of strategic initiatives such as the Small Settlements Regeneration Programme, Causeway Growth Deal, Go Succeed, and Peace Plus all of which have direct relevance to rural communities.
These initiatives were specifically designed to address rural inequalities and build community capacity. They have significantly contributed to improving connectivity, local service provision, and economic opportunity for rural residents.
Ongoing collaboration between the Council and Local Action Groups continues to enhance rural engagement, enabling local groups to share resources, knowledge, and pursue joint initiatives with shared aims.
The high level of funding accessed and delivered in rural areas provides strong, quantifiable evidence of the social and economic need that exists, and of the Council’s commitment to responding to those needs in a strategic and impactful manner.
SECTION 5 - Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?
No.
5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.
The policy itself will not have a direct impact on individuals in rural areas; however, all funding awards are based on an established need which may relate to a rural issue.
5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.
The Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 places a statutory duty on public authorities to have due regard to the needs of people in rural areas when developing, implementing, or revising policies and services.
The Grant Funding Policy sets out the overarching framework and procedures that the Funding Unit will follow in administering grant programmes across the entire Borough — encompassing both urban and rural communities. The policy is designed to be inclusive and applicable to all areas, with no provisions that limit or restrict access based on geographic location.
As such, while rural needs have been considered in the development of the policy, no specific additional measures were required at this stage, as the policy is sufficiently broad and accessible to meet the needs of both rural and urban populations equally.
SECTION 6 - Documenting and Recording
6A. Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by the Public Authority and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.
I confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained and relevant information compiled.
Rural Needs Impact Assessment undertaken by: Funding Unit Development Officer.
Division/Branch: Funding Unit.
Date: 28 March 2025.
Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by: Funding Unit Manager
Division/Branch: Funding Unit.
Date: 28 March 2025.