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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Rural Affairs

    Scheme delivery and development of future rural policy.

    contents

    Rural Policy Framework

    • Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland

    Tackling rural poverty and social isolation

    • Tackling Rural Poverty & Social Isolation – A New Framework
    • Initiatives to Tackle Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI)
    • Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) 2025/2026

    Rural development programme

    • 2014 - 2020 Rural Development Programme
    • 2007 - 2013 Rural Development Programme
    • Farm Business Improvement Scheme - Capital Scheme (FBIS-C)

    Rural white paper action plan

    • Rural White Paper action plan and progress reports

    Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) - Higher Level

    The video has not been updated since 2022 and therefore makes reference to previous tranches. Please note, however, that the process remains the same but that there is no wider option for tranche 8.

    Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) Letter of Offer Terms and Conditions

    Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) Letter of Offer Terms and Conditions

    Grants and Funding

    DAERA offers a wide range of grants and funding to support local farming, fisheries, rural business, communities and environmental NGOs.

    Rural Needs

    This section contains advice, guidance, information and other resources for public authorities in relation to their duties under the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.

    • Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) general guidance notes
    • Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) claim guidance notes
    • Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) general guidance notes

    Environmental Farming Scheme Training Videos (Higher NPIs)

    Training videos for the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) – Higher Level Options online application - Higher NPIs.

    Rural Data Hub

    The Rural Data Hub integrates existing NISRA Census 2021 data into a single, accessible interface, tailored for rural analysis. Its key feature is the ability to create bespoke area profiles at lower geographies by selecting data zones and generating interactive charts with rural/urban comparisons, which can be downloaded for ease of interpretation.

    Related to Rural Affairs

    Most recent publications

    • 2014-2020 NIRDP Ex-Post Evaluation

      Published 27 October 2025
    • Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) Annual Implementation Report 2023 & Citizens summary

      Published 16 June 2025
    See all publications in this topic

    Most recent consultations

    • Consultation on Proposals to Amend Marine Licensing Fees

      Published 9 July 2024 Consultation closed
    • Consultation on Proposed Future Arrangements for Public Intervention (PI) and Private Storage Aid (PSA) Rules

      Published 22 August 2023 Consultation closed
    See all consultations in this topic

    Most recent news items

    • £1.8million Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2025/2026 opens for applications

      Published 10 September 2025
    • DAERA urges vigilance following Foot and Mouth outbreak

      Published 7 March 2025
    See all news in this topic

    Access to information

    How to request information from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs including Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and the use of our Publication Scheme.

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