SOAR (Rural Development Programme)

SOAR (Southern Organisation for Action in Rural areas) is the delivery mechanism for Axis 3 of the NI Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) 2007-2013 for the 3 District Councils areas of Newry & Mourne, Armagh and Craigavon.

SOAR Funding is available to rural dwellers, rural businesses, farm diversification projects, and community and voluntary groups within the Newry and Mourne, Craigavon and Armagh Council areas.

New or existing businesses can apply for grant aid of up £50,000 and community and voluntary groups can apply for grant aid of up to £250,000.

The main aim of SOAR is:

"to improve the quality of life for all the people of our rural area through working in partnership to deliver actions that will build safe, inclusive, healthy, skilled, sustainable and thriving communities"

SOAR will administer the following measures under Axis 3 of the NIRDP:

Farm Diversification
Business Creation and Development
Encouragement of Tourism Activities
Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population
Village Renewal and Development
Conservation and Upgrading of the Rural Heritage

For further information on applying for SOAR grant aid log on to www.soarni.org or contact your local Rural Development Officers in Newry and Mourne District Council:

Amanda Smyth

Rural Development Officer

Siobhan Sheppard

Rural Development Officer

O'Fiaich House

25-26 O'Fiaich Square

Crossmaglen

Co Armagh

BT35 9HG

Warrenpoint Town Hall

Church Street

Warrenpoint