Enterprise Funding

The Rural Development Programme provides grant assistance to start ups and expanding micro-enterprises.

Through the programme Sligo LEADER Partnership are able to support eligible SMEs with projects that will create jobs in the county or that will bring economic development to the business, cementing its viability and future growth.

In order to qualify your project must fit into one of three main themes:

1. Rural Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation (e.g. rural tourism development, enterprise start-ups or expansion, rural town development, broadband projects, agr-diversification that may include a farm shop, tourism product or educational service)
2. Social inclusion (e.g. services targeted at hard to reach communities, projects to provide social inclusion for rural youth)
3. Rural Environment (e.g. protection and sustainable use of water resources, protection and improvement of local biodiversity, development of renewable energy

In addition, under the LEADER RDP Transition Programme 2021, Enterprise projects must address the following priorities:

• Projects which reach new markets, expand, innovate and/or diversify in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and/or Brexit, with a particular emphasis on providing support to businesses in the food sector.
• Priority will be given to applicants that have not previously received assistance under LEADER or other rural programmes
• New and innovative projects in the areas of climate change, environmental protection and the green economy.

See our Enterprise Case Studies