23/01/2026
Minister Announces £7.91m Funding Injection For Rural NI
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed a significant £7.91 million investment aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure and supporting local enterprises across Northern Ireland.
The funding, delivered through the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme and the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme, has reached more than 2,350 recipients over the last year.
The investment is a core component of the Department's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Framework. During a visit to the Moneyslane Rural Community Organisation—which used a £1,491 grant to modernise its hub—Minister Muir highlighted the impact of the Micro Capital initiative.
Minister Muir stated: "I am delighted that 1,048 Letters of Offer for funding of £1.74million have been issued to voluntary and community organisations throughout Northern Ireland from the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme. The Scheme is a key initiative delivered through my Department's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework. It supports rural community-led, voluntary organisations in identifying and implementing projects that address locally identified poverty, isolation, loneliness and health and wellbeing issues."
The Minister also visited BWE Equestrian Ltd in Ballyward to present a Letter of Offer for £5,850. This grant, part of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme, will fund the purchase of a 'Shockwave' soil decompaction machine.
Commenting on the business-focused support, Minister Muir added: "I want to take this opportunity to highlight the significant investment of £6.17million, also from my Department's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework, to 1,310 rural businesses through the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme. It's been great to meet the staff of BWE Equestrian Limited, a first-time applicant to the Scheme, and to hear how the grant will help their business's sustainability and increase their potential for growth. This is exactly the type of support the scheme aims deliver across Northern Ireland."
The 2025/26 TRPSI programme provided micro-grants ranging from £500 to £2,000 for community groups. Meanwhile, the business development arm offered up to 50% capital funding, capped at £7,500, to help micro-businesses innovate, expand, and create employment.
Concluding his visit, the Minister said: "Both the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme and the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme are important contributors to my commitment to build strong, sustainable and diverse rural communities where people want to live, work and invest."
The funding, delivered through the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme and the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme, has reached more than 2,350 recipients over the last year.
The investment is a core component of the Department's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Framework. During a visit to the Moneyslane Rural Community Organisation—which used a £1,491 grant to modernise its hub—Minister Muir highlighted the impact of the Micro Capital initiative.
Minister Muir stated: "I am delighted that 1,048 Letters of Offer for funding of £1.74million have been issued to voluntary and community organisations throughout Northern Ireland from the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme. The Scheme is a key initiative delivered through my Department's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework. It supports rural community-led, voluntary organisations in identifying and implementing projects that address locally identified poverty, isolation, loneliness and health and wellbeing issues."
Commenting on the business-focused support, Minister Muir added: "I want to take this opportunity to highlight the significant investment of £6.17million, also from my Department's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework, to 1,310 rural businesses through the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme. It's been great to meet the staff of BWE Equestrian Limited, a first-time applicant to the Scheme, and to hear how the grant will help their business's sustainability and increase their potential for growth. This is exactly the type of support the scheme aims deliver across Northern Ireland."
The 2025/26 TRPSI programme provided micro-grants ranging from £500 to £2,000 for community groups. Meanwhile, the business development arm offered up to 50% capital funding, capped at £7,500, to help micro-businesses innovate, expand, and create employment.
Concluding his visit, the Minister said: "Both the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme and the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme are important contributors to my commitment to build strong, sustainable and diverse rural communities where people want to live, work and invest."
Latest Northern Ireland News
23 January 2026
PSNI Brands Christmas Road Safety Detections 'Shocking'
Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson is urging motorists to slow down, put their phones away and never drive under the influence after a winter enforcement campaign uncovered thousands of offences across Northern Ireland.
PSNI Brands Christmas Road Safety Detections 'Shocking'
Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson is urging motorists to slow down, put their phones away and never drive under the influence after a winter enforcement campaign uncovered thousands of offences across Northern Ireland.
23 January 2026
Eight Days Left To File Self Assessment
HMRC is urging anyone who still needs to complete a Self Assessment return to file now, with eight days remaining until the 31 January deadline and an automatic £100 penalty for those who miss it. So far, 8.6 million people have submitted returns for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. Last year, more than 11.5 million filed on time; around 3.
Eight Days Left To File Self Assessment
HMRC is urging anyone who still needs to complete a Self Assessment return to file now, with eight days remaining until the 31 January deadline and an automatic £100 penalty for those who miss it. So far, 8.6 million people have submitted returns for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. Last year, more than 11.5 million filed on time; around 3.
23 January 2026
Police Warn Of Risks From 'Urban Exploring'
Police in Larne have issued a warning about the dangers of 'urban exploring' following a rise in reports of people entering derelict and abandoned properties across the district. Larne Neighbourhood Inspector Ash said: "Urban exploring often involves accessing disused sites and premises.
Police Warn Of Risks From 'Urban Exploring'
Police in Larne have issued a warning about the dangers of 'urban exploring' following a rise in reports of people entering derelict and abandoned properties across the district. Larne Neighbourhood Inspector Ash said: "Urban exploring often involves accessing disused sites and premises.
23 January 2026
Ulster Bank Unveils £60,000 Pitch Competition For NI Entrepreneurs
Ulster Bank has launched a new pitch competition, providing entrepreneurs and small business owners in Northern Ireland with the opportunity to win a share of a £60,000 prize fund. This initiative is part of a broader £1 million prize pot being distributed across the UK this year to support business growth.
Ulster Bank Unveils £60,000 Pitch Competition For NI Entrepreneurs
Ulster Bank has launched a new pitch competition, providing entrepreneurs and small business owners in Northern Ireland with the opportunity to win a share of a £60,000 prize fund. This initiative is part of a broader £1 million prize pot being distributed across the UK this year to support business growth.
23 January 2026
Police Ombudsman Appeals For Witnesses To Antrim Road Incident
The Police Ombudsman's Office has launched an investigation into an incident that allegedly occurred on the Antrim Road in Belfast on 10 January 2026. Investigators are specifically interested in speaking with anyone who may have witnessed an interaction between a police officer and a man outside the Phoenix Bar.
Police Ombudsman Appeals For Witnesses To Antrim Road Incident
The Police Ombudsman's Office has launched an investigation into an incident that allegedly occurred on the Antrim Road in Belfast on 10 January 2026. Investigators are specifically interested in speaking with anyone who may have witnessed an interaction between a police officer and a man outside the Phoenix Bar.
23 January 2026
Tourism NI Backs NI Science Festival With New Funding
The NI Science Festival will run from 11–22 February 2026, bringing a packed line-up of workshops, tours, talks and interactive activities to venues across Northern Ireland, supported this year by Tourism Northern Ireland.
Tourism NI Backs NI Science Festival With New Funding
The NI Science Festival will run from 11–22 February 2026, bringing a packed line-up of workshops, tours, talks and interactive activities to venues across Northern Ireland, supported this year by Tourism Northern Ireland.
23 January 2026
Ministers Join Survivor At Belfast Commemoration For Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place annually on 27 January, the date that marks the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp.
Ministers Join Survivor At Belfast Commemoration For Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place annually on 27 January, the date that marks the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp.
23 January 2026
Minister Announces £7.91m Funding Injection For Rural NI
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed a significant £7.91 million investment aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure and supporting local enterprises across Northern Ireland.
Minister Announces £7.91m Funding Injection For Rural NI
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed a significant £7.91 million investment aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure and supporting local enterprises across Northern Ireland.
23 January 2026
Consultation Launches To Broaden Access To Higher Education
Widening participation seeks to ensure people from underrepresented groups can access higher education, progress through their studies and fully benefit from the opportunities it offers. The proposals build on previous access-led work and place sustained achievement and improved outcomes at the centre of the learner journey.
Consultation Launches To Broaden Access To Higher Education
Widening participation seeks to ensure people from underrepresented groups can access higher education, progress through their studies and fully benefit from the opportunities it offers. The proposals build on previous access-led work and place sustained achievement and improved outcomes at the centre of the learner journey.
23 January 2026
Antrim And Newtownabbey Careers Fair Offers Gateway To Future Success
Students and school leavers throughout the Antrim and Newtownabbey area are invited to explore their professional and educational futures at the upcoming Careers and Apprenticeships Fair. The event is scheduled for Wednesday 4 February 2026, and will take place at Theatre at The Mill between 5pm and 9pm.
Antrim And Newtownabbey Careers Fair Offers Gateway To Future Success
Students and school leavers throughout the Antrim and Newtownabbey area are invited to explore their professional and educational futures at the upcoming Careers and Apprenticeships Fair. The event is scheduled for Wednesday 4 February 2026, and will take place at Theatre at The Mill between 5pm and 9pm.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.