About the Programme

The new Rural Development Programme for Northern Ireland will run from 2014 – 2020. The Programme was formally approved by the European Commission on 25th August 2015.

The European Union has six outlined priorities for rural development, which are:

1.    Knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas
2.    Farm competitiveness and risk management
3.    Food chain organisation
4.    Restoring and enhancing ecosystems
5.    Promoting resource efficiency
6.    Social inclusion, poverty reduction and rural economic development

The Northern Ireland Rural Development programme aims to assist projects which fall under Priority number 6, and has a budget of up to £623 million, which was agreed with the European Union and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Causeway Coast and Glens Local Action Group

Each of the 11 Northern Ireland Council areas has been designated funding pots to deliver Priority 6 projects in their area. This process is managed by a Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each council area.

The Causeway Coast and Glens Local Action Group (LAG) has a wider membership of 280 members and a Board of 18 members – 10 Social Partners and 8 Elected Partners. The Causeway Coast and Glens LAG has been allocated £9.6 million budget which will be available to project applicable Priority 6 projects.

Funding Schemes

The Rural Development Programme aims to disperse funding through six different schemes, they are:

Rural Business Investment Scheme
Rural Basic Services Scheme
Village Renewal Scheme
Rural Broadband Scheme
Leadership Cooperation Scheme
Rural Tourism Scheme

More Information about these schemes is in our Schemes section. The schemes will allow for a variety of projects to be funded, and it is around these schemes that the Causeway Coast and Glens LAG has developed its strategic aim.

LAG Strategy

The Strategic Aim of the Causeway Coast and Glens Local Action Group, through the implementation of Priority 6 of the Rural Development Programme, is:

“To improve the quality and sustainability of local social and economic life and create a high-quality experience for all rural residents in the Borough”.

The Interim Local Rural Development Strategy will assist the Causeway Coast and Glens Local Action Group in the management of their funding allocation under Priority 6 of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 for the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough.

Throughout the development of the Interim Strategy, the Local Action Group used the LEADER bottom-up approach to consult and ensure that the needs identified and the subsequent actions meet the needs of the rural community in the Borough.