Summary
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) invited participation in the public consultation for Rural NI: Our New Approach 2026–2041.
We welcomed contributions from everyone with an interest in rural communities, asking for views to help us understand, champion and support rural Northern Ireland.
The consultation closed on Monday, 1st June 2026.
Documents
- Consultation Document Rural NI: Our New Approach (2026-2041)
- A5 Summary Document
- Easy Read Consultation Document
- Rural Needs Impact Assessment
- Equality Impact Screening Template
- Understanding Rural Communities Working Group Report
- Understanding Rural Communities Working Group Report – Annexes
- Championing Rural Communities Working Group Report
- Championing Rural Communities Working Group Report – Annexes
- Supporting Rural Communities Working Group Report
- Supporting Rural Communities Working Group Report – Annexes
Consultation description
Rural Policy Co-design Working Group Reports
Three Rural Policy Co-design Working Groups were set up, with each focusing on one key area; Understanding, Championing and Supporting rural Northern Ireland. These working groups took forward the policy development, producing detailed reports containing 27 recommendations.
Following completion of the co-design process, the proposals agreed by the Working Groups were reviewed and combined into a set of five policy proposals, set out in the ‘Proposals’ chapter in the consultation document above. These detailed working group reports and their annexes are available above.
Have Your Say
Rural NI: Our New Approach 2026-2041 has been shaped by wide engagement with government, councils, community groups, and academia, through an inclusive co-design process.
We invited you to share your thoughts and feedback on these draft proposals. Your input is invaluable and will help shape the final policy.
Let’s Talk Rural – Public Consultation Events
The public consultation sessions were hosted across the region, including 11 in person events and 2 online events, details are listed below.
Registration is now closed.
Enniskillen, Southwest College | Tuesday 24 March |
Online | Wednesday 25 March |
Omagh, Strule Arts Centre | Monday 30 March |
Bangor, Bangor Carnegie Library | Friday 17 April |
Armagh, Southern Regional College | Monday 20 April |
Ballyclare, Ballyclare Town Hall | Tuesday 21 April |
Ballymena, Braid Theatre | Wednesday 22 April |
Strabane, Strabane Enterprise Centre | Monday 27 April |
Limavady, Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre | Tuesday 28 April |
Lisburn, Lagan Valley Island | Thursday 07 May |
Newry, Altnaveigh House | Friday 08 May |
Cookstown, Burnavon Arts and Cultural Centre | Tuesday 12 May |
Online | Monday 18 May |
The primary method for responses was online via Citizen Space.
If this was not possible, responses to this Consultation were accepted via email or in writing by post.
Consultation Responses
The Consultation responses will help inform the final version of Rural NI: Our New Approach 2026-2041. DAERA is grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to this consultation.
Ways to respond
Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.