Fermanagh Rural Community Network wish to inform you that the DAERA Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme (RMCGS) 2025/2026 is now open for applications until 12 midday on Monday 20th October 2025.
The RMCGS is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) under the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme and is being delivered in the Fermanagh and Omagh area by Fermanagh Rural Community Network (FRCN) and Omagh Forum for Rural Associations (OFRA).
FRCN and OFRA strongly advise all groups to take part in a pre-application information session so that your organisation has all the latest information on the RMCGS and the application process.
There are a number of changes to the scheme criteria and application process from previous RMCGS tranches,
Pre-Application Information Sessions Timetable:
Thursday 18th September @ 8pm
Join FRCN Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86490283148?pwd=TsXowRrgRYXTQqbyn9NzEpbba8NwVU.1
Meeting ID: 864 9028 3148
Passcode: 420234
Friday 19th September @ 12.30pm
Join OFRA Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89288105702?pwd=64hnfsThOX5QA61QWITOU5u4dawYgN.1
Meeting ID: 892 8810 5702
Passcode: 727747
Tuesday 23rd September @ 7pm
Join OFRA Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84918195484?pwd=AeJvuOApIYqCybdVJc6vYaXEMxc0BQ.1
Meeting ID: 849 1819 5484
Passcode: 583143
Friday 26th September @ 1pm
Join FRCN Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87670677166?pwd=wfFT7BVQ9IbQa2WIXADOYBA2Szm3no.1
Meeting ID: 876 7067 7166
Passcode: 882789
Tuesday 7th October @ 7pm
Join OFRA Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82113214247?pwd=QCBHlGQ72xJXRFe2OrO7AvmOJok8Mp.1
Meeting ID: 821 1321 4247
Passcode: 082723
Key objectives
The Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2025/2026 has been designed to:
· Help rural community-led, voluntary organisations to address local issues of access poverty, financial poverty, and social isolation;
· Improve the lives of those in rural communities, and in particular the wellbeing of isolated individuals; and,
· Provide an opportunity to implement energy efficiency measures / environmental improvements.
These objectives help deliver on the NI Executive Programme for Government (PfG) 2024/2027 which aims to build stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural communities where people want to live, work, visit and invest and DAERA’s own vision for ‘Developing a Net Zero nature positive future, supporting sustainable agriculture and thriving rural communities.’
The Grant Scheme
Micro Capital grants between £500 and £2,000 are available to rural community-led, voluntary organisations for projects tackling issues of local poverty and / or social isolation, and / or implementing energy efficiency measures / environmental improvements.
Projects must focus on one of the following four themes:
· Modernisation (of existing building): structural work, other examples include white goods, tables, chairs.
· Information Communication Technology: IT equipment including PC’s/Laptops, PA Systems.
· Health and Wellbeing: any capital item that aims to improve people’s wellbeing.
· Energy Efficiency: E.g., upgrade of lighting, windows, doors, and insulation.
· Environmental Improvement: may include the purchase of gardening equipment.
The RMCGS can offer grant aid from 50% up to 85% of the total eligible cost of your project.
NB: The total project cost cannot exceed £4,000.
You can purchase whatever number of items you require to meet your groups needs, provided the total cost does not exceed £4,000. And you can purchase items from multiple suppliers.
Match funding for your contribution of at least 15% must be in the form of a ‘cash’ contribution. Labour or ‘in-kind’ contributions will not be accepted.
In order to ensure that as many organisations as possible get the opportunity to benefit from this Scheme, organisations can only make one application to the Scheme.
What can be funded?
Grant aid can only be used to meet costs associated with capital equipment, the improvement of a capital asset and / or the extension of the useable life of a capital asset. Organisations can apply for a wide range of capital items, such as office equipment, furniture, kitchen fittings, and minor capital works to improve premises.
Eligible items must clearly relate to the key themes of (i) Modernisation, (ii) ICT, (iii) Health & Wellbeing, or (iv) Implement energy efficiency **/ environmental improvements measures***.
**To encourage local communities to implement energy efficiency / environmental improvements eligible costs may include, e.g., draft proofing, double glazed windows, change of lighting to LED, light sensors/timers, insulation.
***Environmental improvements. Eligible costs may include the purchase of gardening equipment, e.g., tunnel kits, pots, spades, and hoes.
A maximum of 15% of the overall project costs may be used to purchase plants, trees, hedges, flowers etc. (Plants / shrubs / flowers must be perennial, i.e., plants that live multiple seasons).
Guidance Notes
A copy of the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) 2025/2026 Guidance Notes for Applicants are available by clicking on the box below.
Please read the Guidance Notes, before starting your organisations RMCGS application as there are a number of changes from previous schemes.
Online Application Form Link
The Online Application Form and further information are available at the following link:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/rural-micro-capital-grants-scheme-rmcgs-20252026
Further Support
If you require any further information or advice, please contact us in Fermanagh Rural Community Network on 028 6632 7006 or by email: info@fermanaghrcn.org