£7,500 grants available for rural micro-businesses in Derry and Strabane area

Rural micro-businesses in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area are being encouraged to apply for funding of up to £7,500 through the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) 2025–2026, which opened for applications last week.

The scheme is funded through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA) Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme, and is delivered in partnership with local councils. It aims to support the sustainability and growth of rural micro-businesses by offering financial assistance towards the purchase of capital equipment, enabling them to become more competitive, resilient, and capable of creating employment opportunities.

Speaking about the scheme, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairí McHugh welcomed the continued investment in local enterprise: “We are delighted to see the return of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme and particularly welcome the increased level of support now available to micro-businesses.

"This programme has already provided significant benefits to local rural businesses, allowing them to invest in vital equipment and technology.

“With the grant award now increased to £7,500 and the project cap raised to £30,000, this is a real opportunity for businesses to scale, become more efficient, and improve their competitiveness. I would encourage all eligible businesses to begin preparing now and to make sure they attend one of the mandatory workshops required before applying.”

Under the 2025–2026 programme, eligible businesses can apply for capital funding of up to 50% of eligible costs, with the maximum grant set at £7,500. The minimum grant available is £500, and project costs must range from at least £1,000 to a maximum of £30,000. Applicants are required to provide the remaining match funding. This is a competitive scheme, with all applications assessed on merit.

A key change to this year’s scheme is that attendance at one pre-application workshop is mandatory for all applicants. These workshops provide important information on eligibility, the application process, and completing the claims process.

Workshops will take place on the following dates:

• Tuesday 8 October 2025 at 7:00 pm (online)
• Monday 14 October 2025 at 1:00 pm (in person) at Derry City & Strabane District Council Offices, 47 Derry Road, Strabane, BT81 8DY
• Tuesday 28 October 2025 at 10:00 am (online)

Funding can be used towards a wide range of capital items including computer equipment and software, e-commerce websites, new or upgraded equipment and machinery, as well as mobile machinery such as scissor lifts, forklifts or ride-on lawn mowers.

Businesses that received funding in previous years are eligible to apply again. The application portal opened on Thursday 25 September 2025, and the deadline for submissions is 12:00 noon on Thursday 30 October 2025.

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Full details on how to register for a workshop, access guidance notes, and apply for the scheme are available via the Council’s website. All applicants are strongly advised to read the application guidance carefully and ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before submitting their application.

For more information or to apply,  please visit: https://www.derrystrabane.com/business/business-support/funding-grants/daera-rural-business-grants