£17m Rural Funds for Craigavon, Armagh, Newry and Mourne

• Rural Development Programme

Craigavon, Armagh and Newry and Mourne district council have lauched the SOAR Partnership to deliver £17m of funding from the Rural Development Programme.

Funding is available to help improve the quality of life in rural areas by supporting a wide range of activities including, business creation, village renewal and development, and tourism, as well as the upgrading of rural heritage.

The Southern Organisation for Action in Rural areas is one of seven partnerships created to inject money, employment and resources into rural communities.

Information Sessions on the Rural Development Programme are being held throughout March in Craigavon, Keady, Markethill, Crossmaglen and Warrenpoint.

The cluster will shortly invite potential applicants to submit expressions of interest and forms will be available at any of the information sessions.

Information sessions will be held on:

• 9 March 2009 - 10am-1pm:The Old Mill, Keady
• 10 March 2009 - 5pm-8pm:Craigavon Civic Centre
• 11 March 2009 - 5pm-8pm:The Courthouse, Markethill
• 12 March 2009 - 10am-1pmCraigavon Civic Centre
• 18 March 2009 - 5pm-8pm:Crossmaglen Community Centre
• 19 March 2009 - 10am-1pm:Warrenpoint Town Hall

For further information please email: info@soarni.org or visit the SOAR website: www.soarni.org.