Poots welcomes the completion of £50,000 innovative project in Bangor

Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots MLA has visited a social farm in Bangor that has benefitted from DAERA’s Rural Social Economy Investment Scheme.

Behind the Stable Door Ltd is a social farm that provides those with a disability or illness the opportunity to participate and work on a farm.  The new project was part financed through a £50,000 grant from DAERA’s pilot Rural Social Economy Investment Scheme.

The Minister said: “As a result of DAERA’s funding, Behind the Stable Door has been able to branch into a new area of work which will help it develop and become more sustainable.

“The provision of new equipment has enabled them to shred and bag waste egg cartons to use and sell as bedding for horses, thereby providing a second income that will allow for more growth and stability in their social enterprise. Since its completion, the owner has experienced steady sales and has received very positive feedback with a high number of returning customers.

“This new growth has provided them with a renewed sense of satisfaction and achievement as they are able to see the product that they have helped create being sold to support the farm.”

The £450,000 scheme assisted established and emerging social enterprises to increase their capacity, potential profitability and sustainability, whilst supporting those who live in rural areas.

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo caption:  Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots is pictured with Clare Cannon, Director and Andy Spiller, Director at a recent visit to Behind the Stable Door Social Farm that provides those with a disability or illness the opportunity to participate and work on a farm.
2. The Rural Social Economy Investment Scheme was a pilot scheme which provided 80% grants from £25,000 - £50,000 to emerging and established rural social enterprises in Northern Ireland to enable them to increase their capacity, potential profitability and sustainability whilst supporting those who live in rural areas.  Applicants were expected to cover the remaining 20%
3. Funding for grants under this pilot Scheme was allocated following a competitive assessment process.
4. Projects had to achieve one of more of the following objectives:

• Improving the sustainability of your rural social enterprise - to encourage a transition to more sustainable rural social enterprises through enabling the business to increase its capacity, potential profitability and sustainability.
• Strengthening rural community/communities - investing in social enterprises which create products and services for and on behalf of rural communities, thereby helping to create a sustainable rural community where people want to live, work, to visit and invest in .
• Improving the economic circumstances of rural communities - enabling and supporting employment pathways, training and volunteering opportunities to assist disadvantaged or vulnerable rural people to fulfil their potential.
• Working in partnership with others - proactively encourage new or enhanced partnership arrangements to connect individuals, communities and opportunities in rural areas.

5. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk.
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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