Funding to showcase Northern Ireland’s food and drink sector has been announced by Agri-food Minister Edwin Poots.
This year £300,000 is available from the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme (NIRFP) for the promotion of our local food and drink products at regional fairs and exhibitions, seminars/workshops and information programmes.
The Minister said: “This is an important funding programme for our food and drink sector as it continues on the path to recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The programme encourages collaboration between all sectors and representative bodies within the local food industry through financial support to help showcase quality regional food.
“I am delighted that this year we are again able to offer funding for activities that would support a generic agri-food promotion campaign, building on the successes achieved in 2021. Promotional activities will cover all sectors of the NI food industry highlighting the quality, sustainability and reputation of the food that is produced on local farms.”
The programme opens on 1 February 2022 and closes at noon on 22 February. Applications are invited from not-for-profit groups and regional development agencies as well as registered charities.
The aim of the scheme is to raise the profile of quality regional food and increase its consumption within Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.
The funding is for projects taking place from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. Awards will be subject to budget availability.
Download the application form from the DAERA website.
Notes to editors:
1. The NI Regional Food Programme was established as part of the implementation of The Fit for Market Report, which was published by the Food Strategy Group in November 2004.
2. Successful applications to the Programme can obtain up to 40% financial contributions on eligible project expenditure for regional fairs/exhibitions, seminars/workshops, information programmes; and 80% for the generic agri-food sector promotional campaign.
3. Scheme rules mean that only not-for-profit groups with a Northern Ireland membership, registered charities or not-for-profit regional development agencies that plan to deliver projects that raise the profile of NI regional food can apply. Applications for collaborative ventures involving two or more eligible organisations working together to deliver the objectives of the Programme are encouraged.
4. Closing date for completed applications will be 12 noon on Tuesday 22 February 2022.
5. An application form for funding can be downloaded from the DAERA website or obtained from the contact details below:
NIRFP Management Team
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Room 518
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 3SB
Tel: 028 9052 4497
Email: agrifoodsupportbranch@daera-ni.gov.uk
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7. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office.
8. 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.