Rural Action Awards open for application

First aid sessions, community hampers and youth activities are amongst the community projects that have been supported to date by the Rural Action Awards Scheme. 

Launched last October the scheme aims to support 12 volunteer led community action projects.  So far, 7 rural community/voluntary groups have been successful, and each has received £1,000 towards their community project. 

The scheme is still accepting applications from Rural community-based organisations in Northern Ireland, or the border region of Ireland.  The organisers are keen to remind everyone that applications are only valid for 3 months. 

Speaking about the Awards, Teresa Canavan, Chief Executive of Rural Action said “We have been very encouraged by the interest in the Awards to date and congratulate those successful recipients.  We have a further 5 awards to announce and want to remind everyone that applications are only valid for 3 months.  So, if you submitted your application at the launch of the Awards, during November 2022 you must now resubmit via www.ruralaction.co.” 

The scheme is open to constituted rural community-based organisations including charities, not for profit community groups, sporting and cultural organisations, heritage groups, Parent Teacher Associations, youth groups/clubs and social enterprises.   The scheme seeks to support practical, tangible and timebound projects where the project must complete within 12 weeks.

Groups wishing to enter must complete a simple online form available at www.ruralaction.co by the 20^th of each month to be considered.  The successful groups will then be randomly selected and following a simple verification process, can avail of the £1000/€1000 to use for their community action project.  Full terms and conditions are available on the website.

To date, 7 rural community/voluntary groups have been chosen as recipients for the Rural Action Awards. 

• Co. Armagh Community Development (Markethill)
• Curragh Young Farmers (Maghera) 
• Fermanagh Fun Farm C.I.C. (Lisbellaw)
• Kilnaslee Community Development Group (Dungannon)
• St Patricks GAC, Portaferry (Portaferry)
• The Open Door Complex (Bellaghy)
• Annaghmore LOL 2033, (Castledawson)