Agri Food Co Operation Scheme

Support available to each group

Facilitation
Expert help with business planning, funding, business development, and market research. Up to a maximum of 50 days, within the following limits: First stage facilitation – 5 days maximum. Post application support – 5 days per month or 25 days per year for a maximum period of two years. The level of facilitation will be determined as part of the action plan.

Specialist Mentoring
More specific support for the group: eg quality assurances, e-commerce and
marketing.

80% of eligible costs - 75 hours maximum over a 2 year period, or a maximum

Training
To develop the skills of group members
100% of costs to a maximum of £5,000 per group.

Study Tours
To develop the skills of group members
100% of eligible costs to a maximum of £3,000 per group.

Co-operation Support
Development of group structures and co-operation activities 50% grant up to £2,500 per group. Examples of co-operation support are costs associated with the development of group structures and co-operation activities. e.g. legal or financial advice.

Other Business Tools
Management information systems, surveys, websites, logos, and promotional material. 80% of costs (excluding travel & subsistence) to a maximum of £15,000 per group – business tools may include Management Information systems, market intelligence, surveys, websites, logo design, promotional material to increase the profile of the group and increase membership, value chain analysis by all or some of the group members.

Eligibility
As the scheme is focused on benefiting Northern Irish agri-food production the lead applicant must be from the NI agricultural or horticultural production sector

the project must deal with products whose main components must already be, or could be, produced in Northern Ireland
a group must have a minimum of two entities
support can be allocated to new or existing groups. However, for support to be granted to an existing group, it must be to develop a business plan for a new joint project
the scheme will only support plans for projects which involve innovative/unique characteristics, with low displacement implications and the potential to add net benefits to the Northern Ireland economy

Check out below to see active groups availing of support

– LOUGH NEAGH ARTISANS GROUP

– EAST SPERRINS POTATO GROUP

– NI BLONDE BEEF GROUP

How To Apply
The first stage requires you to download and submit a short expression of interest form. You can download this form at the bottom of this page. We advise you to also download the notes for guidance document as this will provide further information regarding the scheme.

Please note the scheme will not accept applications from fisheries or aquaculture businesses, forestry businesses, or from businesses where the output is for the energy market.

Selection Panel Dates