Rural Development Grants

Current Opportunities

Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme (RMCGS) 2026/27

• What is it:   Micro Capital Grants for projects tackling issues of local poverty and/or social isolation

• Who can apply:   Eligible rural community and voluntary organisations and Social Economy Enterprises

• How to apply:     Online

• Closing date:     12 noon on Monday 22 June 2026

Apply for the 2026/27 Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme (RMCGS)

Existing Schemes

Click on the links below for details of future funding calls or information on Letters of Offer:

• PEACEPLUS Programme, Investment Area 2.4 - Smart Town and Villages
• PEACEPLUS Programme, Investment Area 4.2 Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion
• Digital Transformation Flexible Fund
• Farm Business Improvement Scheme Capital Scheme (FBIS-C)
• Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS)
• Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme
• Rural Business Development Grant Scheme

Non-Monetary Schemes

TRPSI Non-Monetary Schemes

The following schemes are open all year round and provide Initiatives to Tackle Rural Poverty and Social Isolation to our rural communities:

• Assisted Rural Travel Scheme (ARTS)
• Regional Infrastructure Support Programme (RISP)
• Community Development, including Marginalised Minority Communities Support
• Village Catalyst Pilot Project
• The Farm Families Health Checks Programme (FFHCP)

You can find more information about the above schemes here:
Initiatives to Tackle Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI)

Other Non-Monetary Schemes

The following schemes are open all year round and provide non-monetary support to our rural communities:

• No current schemes

Legacy Schemes

The schemes listed below are no longer open for new applicants or payments.

• Web Development Programme (pilot)
• Rural Tourism Collaborative Experiences Programme (RTCEP) (pilot)
• Micro-Food Investment Scheme (pilot)
• School Pollinator Garden Scheme
• LEADER:
  • Rural Business Investment Scheme
  • Rural Basic Services Scheme
  • Rural Broadband Scheme
  • Village Renewal Scheme
• Rural Tourism Scheme
• Rural Social Enterprise Investment Scheme pilot - phase 2
• Forest Park Enhancement and Community Trail Development Scheme
• Social Farming Capital Grant Scheme 2021
• Rural Food Business Investment Scheme
• 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme
• Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme (ESA) and Countryside Management Scheme (CMS)

You can find out more information about any of these Rural Development schemes by clicking on the scheme name.