NORTHERN IRELAND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2014-2020
Interim Rural Development Strategy for Derry and Strabane
1. Introduction and Background
Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership (the Local Action Group - LAG) submitted an interim strategy
to DARD in December 2015 as its application to deliver the LEADER elements of the Northern
Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014 –2020 (Priority 6). The application for funding was in
the form of the Interim Local Rural Development Strategy for the area’s allocation of £7.54 million.
The interim strategy was developed in line with DARD guidance which included a requirement to
take account of the emerging priorities from the ongoing council community planning process and
to reflect the importance of job creation as a key objective of Priority 6. It should be noted that the
funding is primarily capital and this also needed to be taken into account in the development of
the interim strategy. The strategy was approved by DARD in February 2016 and is interim at this
stage to allow for a final strategy to be agreed once the Community Plan is in place.
The interim strategy included an analysis of need based on a detailed socio economic profile,
significant consultation with over 430 rural stakeholders including Section 75 groups and a funding
gap analysis. The analysis of need informed the overall vision, strategic aims and priorities for the
interim strategy as well as allocation of the funding across the following main themes:

Theme 1: Rural Business Investment Scheme

Theme 2: Rural Basic Services

Theme 3: Village Renewal

Theme 4: Rural Broadband

Theme 5: Rural Co-operation
This summary document highlights key areas of the interim strategy including the overall
approach, vision and strategic aims as well as a detailed breakdown of budget, objectives and
indicative actions for each of the five themes. The eligible area is defined below with a map
included in Appendix 1.
1
Eligible Area:
The LAG area follows the same boundaries as the Derry City and Strabane District
Council area. The eligible area for funding is defined as the core rural area based
on 18 Super Output Areas (SOAs) that are defined as rural in the Community Plan
(see Appendix 1). In addition, the LAG has agreed to include the following areas
which include several that were part of the previous RDP Programme – Culmore,
New Buildings, Strathfoyle, Drumahoe, Nixon’s Corner and Coshquin.
2. Overall Approach
Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership has developed a flexible strategy, yet targeted approach
based on needs, sectors and market conditions. This will enable the development of both large
and small projects and promote innovation and creativity among those thinking about applying.
The interim strategy takes into account the need and demand for a range of capital based
interventions within the current economic climate. It has therefore maintained the maximum grant
thresholds as initially identified by DARD as it wishes to encourage businesses and others to
engage and apply.
It is a strategy that is built on a strategic approach to business investment, basic services, village
renewal, and broadband linking to the Community plan, the new Integrated Economic Strategy, the
emerging Local Development plan and the Regional Development Strategy 2035 while at the same
time addressing local needs. It fully complements the emerging Community Plan and encourages
a complementary, strategic and integrated approach to the development and delivery of the
strategy. Its sees its resources as one part of a larger picture in regard to the development of the
rural area over the next five years within which other players will play a significant complementary
role.
3. Vision and Strategic Aims
Vision: A sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and entrepreneurial rural area which encourages and
supports modernisation, connectedness and growth, improved quality of life and well-being for all,
which takes advantage of its natural and built environment and respects its role as the custodian of
the landscape for future generations
Strategic Aim
To improve the Derry and Strabane rural area by supporting actions which:

Create sustainable, high quality and well paid jobs in the area and supports the maintenance
of existing jobs;

Increase GVA (Gross Value Added);

Improve the quality of life and health and well-being for all;
2
Improve access to rural services and addresse isolation in particular of more vulnerable

groups;
Create a thriving tourism sector benefiting from its natural and built heritage and its strategic

location;

Enable the diversification of farm businesses, thus improving average incomes;

Define the role and function of rural villages allowing them to take advantage of their
location and increase the sense of belonging locally;
Improve connectedness through improved rural transport, broadband communications and

community networking;
Maximise advantages and minimises the disadvantages from its cross border location

This will be achieved through the following strategic priorities:

Priority 1: Creating jobs and sustainable employment in rural Derry and Strabane

Priority 2: Improving the quality of life of the rural Derry and Strabane area

Priority 3: Improving the connectedness of the Derry Strabane District to wider opportunities
Priority 1: Creating jobs and
Priority 2: Improving the quality
Priority 3: Improving the
sustainable employment in rural
of life of the rural Derry and
connectedness of the Derry
Derry and Strabane
Strabane area
Strabane District to wider
opportunities
The overall rationale is to develop projects which tackle rural poverty and social isolation, and which link into other
Government and EU Strategies on poverty and isolation maximising opportunities for local people

The aim is to increase

The overall rationale is to

The rationale is to increase
economic activity and
improve the living conditions
national and international
employment rates in the
and welfare of rural dwellers
collaboration in the area to
wider rural economy through
through the provision of
maximise the economic, social
encouraging and supporting
additional and better basic
and cultural opportunities for
the creation and development
services;
local people
of micro and small
enterprises, including on-farm
The rationale is to regenerate

diversification into non-
strategically located villages
agricultural activities and
and their surrounding areas
private tourism provision
by improving their economic
prospects and quality of life

The rationale is to provide
community based solutions to
broadband not spots in rural
areas where it has been
impossible for traditional
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Priority 1: Creating jobs and
Priority 2: Improving the quality
Priority 3: Improving the
sustainable employment in rural
of life of the rural Derry and
connectedness of the Derry
Derry and Strabane
Strabane area
Strabane District to wider
opportunities
providers to access or to
develop solutions

Rural Business Investment
o
o
o

Rural Basic Services –

Rural cooperation – taking
Building the micro and
widening access to services
advantage of the location of
small business sector
for those who have them
the LAG area and encouraging
Diversifying the rural
difficultly accessing them
cross border and cross LAG
economy
currently
Cooperation
Building rural tourism

opportunities
Rural Village Renewal –
enhancing the vitality and
roles of existing villages

Rural Broadband –
connecting people via
improved broadband services
in not spots
The strategy must:

Be flexible to allow different sizes and types of projects to come forward and to take
account of market conditions

Not be so prescriptive that it stifles creativity and innovation of those aiming to apply –
people need to see scope in the programme for the development and realisation of their
ideas

Be strategic yet local in nature

Be bottom up in nature
The aims, objectives and indicative actions for each of the five schemes that will deliver the above
strategic priorities are outlined below.
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Theme 1: Rural Business Investment
Budget: £2,586,000
Aim:
The aim of this theme is the creation of additional sustainable employment in the rural area of
Derry and Strabane District Council area that encourages young people to remain in the area
through support for viable businesses and enterprises in line with the Council’s Integrated
Economic Strategy (IES) and the Community Support Plan for the area.
Objective 1.1:

Support at least 29 businesses to establish a new business or to expand an existing
business of which at least 2 are introducing or expanding an e-business and of which
at least 2 are starting to export
Objective 1.2:

Ensure that at least 48 people benefit from receiving a capital grant for a business
Objective 1.3

Create at least 68 new sustainable jobs (FTEs) in businesses supported under the
programme
Objective 1.4

Ensure that at least 3 people complete bespoke training as a result of the
development supported
Actions:

Rural tourism support for business development of trails, plantation, genealogy, angling,
equine, blueways, trails for food and products & services that support these trails

Support for businesses that capitalise on proximity of area to tourism experiences
elsewhere including Derry Walls, Giants Causeway, Sperrins and local history and heritage
centres

Support for farm diversification businesses in engineering and other sectors that make
best use of existing buildings and respect the local environment

Support for businesses that provide positive environmental effects including renewable
energy projects

Support for businesses in the creative industries including craft businesses

Support for social enterprises and other businesses that aim to strengthen the social
infrastructure of the area such as mental health & wellbeing services, care for older
persons, respite care

Support for new enterprises developed by locally based entrepreneurs, by female
entrepreneurs by young people and by individuals from ethnic minority communities

Support for other businesses that are within target sectors identified by the Council’s
Integrated Economic Strategy (IES) including digital industries, life sciences, engineering,
financial services, textiles/ manufacturing.
5
Theme 2: Rural Basic Services
Budget: £1,725,000
Aim:
Provide capital build /enhancement support to key service delivery community hubs which
will help create inclusive, accessible, integrated, shared services in venues in locations where
there is a lack of existing or outreach services currently; reaching the most vulnerable and
isolated in the rural communities and addressing transport issues, improving mental health
and well-being and building social cohesion.
Objective 2.1:

Ensure that at least 1,150 people benefit from improved services/ infrastructure
Objective 2.2

Ensure that at least 23 participants take part in bespoke training ensuring that the
service hubs are sustainable business entities
Objective 2.3

Ensure that at least 11 projects are supported for investments in local basic services for
the rural population
Actions:

Identify where the services are most needed and to provide access to absent or otherwise
difficult to access basic services for local rural communities. This should be undertaken in
collaboration with the Village Renewal Scheme.

Undertake a scoping and development exercise through the animation programme with
some expert external support. It should also include both the statutory and voluntary
sector working together to develop new service delivery models using a service hub
network. It should link with the emerging rural local community plans and identify the
most logical location for service delivery hubs and to improve access to the most difficult
to reach services for the most vulnerable and isolated in the Derry Strabane area.

These hubs could be outdoor recreation hubs; mental health and well-being hubs; sport
and recreation, culture and leisure hubs; eldercare and youth service delivery hubs;
childcare hubs etc. It should link to the community planning framework.

Support 4 medium sized capital/ refurbishment projects in key strategic locations

Support 7 small capital/ refurbishment projects in key strategic locations

Undertake up to 11 feasibility studies on key capital projects for community enterprises to
enable them to provide basic services for rural communities where there is a clear
demonstrable need (4 x key new/enhanced hub and 7 x small hub projects)

Support pilot project
Bespoke support/ training:

Deliver bespoke training to new service hubs to ensure their sustainability in moving
forward (£20,000) e.g. volunteer development/employability programmes; social
enterprise support to those developing service hubs to make sure they are sustainable
businesses; and to support marketing of new services on offer in hubs.
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Theme 3: Rural Village Renewal
Budget: £1,206,400
Aim:
Provide capital support to develop collective and/ individual village initiatives that will
enhance the role and function of village renewal which will bring life back into the rural area
contributing to the creation of vibrant rural communities as places to live, work, be educated,
socialise and visit.
Objective 3.1

Ensure that at least 755 people benefit from village renewal projects
Objective 3.2

Ensure that up to 15 villages are supported to draw up or enhance village development
plans
Objective 3.3

Support up to 8 projects for investments in village development
Objective 3.4

Ensure that up to 8 derelict / vacant properties are brought back into use
Actions:

Develop an animation programme that will bring together key players in the rural areas to
identify key village clusters and develop strategic cluster projects for the area which will
link in with the Regional Development Strategy, the Local Development Plan and the
emerging rural based local community plans.

Identify the future role and functions of villages within the rural Derry and Strabane area
ensuring they link into the Regional Development Strategy 2035, and the Council
Community Plan. A rural villages and basic services conference should be part of the
animation work to explore these issues
Technical Support

Support the development of up to 15 integrated village plans or the update of existing
village plans @ c.£3-5,000 each - £55, 000
Capital projects

Support capital projects will help improve the attractiveness of the local area, tackle
dereliction, help create or develop tourism opportunities and improve the health and wellbeing of residents e.g. through environmental improvements, derelict and vacant site
enhancement, shop from enhancements, upgrading the rural heritage or gateway projects
that create a sense of belonging. This will include the following:|

Support the implementation of 4 large capital projects across a number of key strategic
villages. There should be flexibility in this based on the needs identified in the scoping
study in terms of where investment should most logically be targeted (with populations between
2,500 to 5,000; 1,000 and 2,500; below 1,000; or by DEA (Local Community plan areas)

Support the implementation of up to 8 small capital projects in up to 8 villages.
Bespoke support/ training - on implementing and collaboration work aimed at
implementing village plan actions (assuming RDP is but one source of funding support)
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Theme 4: Rural Broadband
Budget: £230,000
Aim:
Improve rural broadband provision solutions for communities in hard to reach and “not spot”
areas in the Derry and Strabane area in order to provide reliable connectivity and speed
particularly in isolated and terrain compromised areas with cabinet distance issues and
improve the knowledge and skills of those involved in the potential development of
community based broadband schemes.
Objective 4.1

Support at least 1 operation for investments in broadband infrastructure and access to
broadband, including e-government services
Objective 4.2

Assist at least 138 people to benefit from new or improved IT infrastructures (e.g.
broadband internet)
Actions:

Site visits to other community broadband schemes plus bespoke training on how to
develop a scheme

Animation programme to bring together the current broadband/mobile suppliers to see if
an integrated strategy undertaken in partnership with RDP and a social enterprise/ Council
can create an alternative solution for more reliable and high quality broadband (mobile
and or fixed line) in the hard to reach and “not spot” rural areas of Derry and Strabane

Test if a community based broadband project is feasible in one of the non-spot areas

Test the viability of a voucher scheme in hard to reach and not spot areas

Develop 1-2 pilot community broadband project over the programme period (and
maximise private sector investment alongside that of RDP) bringing at least 5 mbs to a
businesses /households in the surrounding area

Install Wi-Fi access in all community service hub buildings funded under RDP

Support for applications to become a pilot

Add economic value to an area by implementing Wifi access in all RDP broadband funded
solution community hub buildings

Support the development of facilities and ground equipment (must achieve a minimum
speed of 5mb
Capital projects

Support pilot programme into which social enterprises bid to be a pilot project

Development costs associated with the project

Wi-Fi installation in service delivery hubs funded with broadband access through RDP

Voucher scheme for capital expenditure with rural households in the worst not spot areas
Bespoke support/ training

Training in how to run the new scheme

Animate local people to connect to broadband service
8
Theme 5: Rural Co-operation
Budget: £432,600
Aim:
Take advantage of the strategic location of the Derry and Strabane area and link to the range
of opportunities that exist in the area which will result in meaningful and mutually beneficial
outcomes
Objective 5.1:

Develop a minimum of two cooperation projects and 4-5 networking events and 3-4
feasibility studies around projects aimed at creating sustainable links and opportunities for
meaningful and mutually beneficial outcomes
Objective 5.2:

Deliver bespoke training to new cooperation projects to ensure their sustainability in
moving forward - £20,000
Actions:
Derry Strabane Rural Partnership envisages a three stage approach to this part of the
programme
a. Animation programme to bring the key local players together to see what opportunities
could be developed together; discussion on mutually beneficial areas of cooperation and
action plan on how to move forward. This would include site visits to other cross border or
LAG project schemes against which meaningful and mutually beneficial outcomes could
be achieved. 4 to 5 Networking events / research/ site visits to explore some of the
concepts and opportunities identified which would take place across Ireland, Britain and
into other parts of Europe. These would be attended by c6-10 LAG members and staff
and aim to build skills and expertise and knowledge sharing on aspects of project
development that could add value to the existing projects or ideas - e.g. how others have
developed trails off the Appalachian trail and maximised the tourism benefits of the area
from having the trail going through their area
b.
Independent scoping / pre-developmental feasibility of the projects/ technical
studies – based on the assumption that each partner can include £5,000 each to this
collective study on an agreed project
c. Moving to full application of the project/s
Potential Capital projects:

Development of walking trails – e.g. Appalachian Trail and sub-trails off this plus
interpretation of these and connecting with other EU countries already on the trail
including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Spain and France

Possible development of cycle tracks - exploring spin off business opportunities

Possible development of blue way trails

Development of marine tourism opportunities

Development of cross border outdoor recreation hubs – and play parks

Development of cluster village opportunities across any of the above
9
The Budget, budget percentage, grant level and level of intervention for each scheme is outlined
below.
Scheme
Rural Business
Budget
%
£2,586,000
45%
Investment
Beneficiaries
Grant Level
Grant
Private sector and
New Micro Business –
£5,000 - £30,000
social economy
50%
enterprises
Existing Micro Business
£5,000 - £50,000
– 50%
Existing Small Business
£5,000 to £90,000
– 50%
Technical Support and
£500 - £5,000
Bespoke Training 50%
Marketing support
£500 - £10,000
Web Based – 50%
Marketing support
£500 - £5,000
Non Web Based – 50%
Rural Basic
£1,725,000
30%
Services
Rural Village
£1,206,400
21%
Renewal
Community/
Capital Grant 75%
£5,000 - £500,000
voluntary and
Technical Support and
£500 - £5,000
public sector
Bespoke Training 75%
Local council
Capital Grant 75%
£5,000 - £500,000
(applicant) and
Technical Support and
£500 - £5,000
community/
Bespoke Training 75%
voluntary sector
Rural Broadband
£230,000
4%
Community/
Capital Grant 75%
up to £100,000
voluntary sector
(including social
enterprises) and
local councils
Rural Co-
£432,600
7%
Per programme
Operation
Total
requirement
£6,181,000
100%
Indicative Allocation of budget per scheme per financial year:
Scheme
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
Rural Business Investment
%
30%
£
£775,800
%
40%
£
£1,034,400
%
30%
£
£775,800
Rural Basic Services
40%
£690,000
40%
£690,000
20%
£345,000
Rural Village Renewal
5%
£60,300
50%
£603,200
45%
£542,880
0
0
100%
£230,000
0
0
Rural Broadband
10
Output Targets (to meet DARD Indicative Targets)
Name of Indicator
Target
Rural Business Investment Scheme
£2,586,000
Number of Jobs Created (FTE)
68
Number of businesses supported
29
Number of people completing bespoke training (directly linked to development supported)
3
Number of Beneficiaries/People receiving capital grant for their business
48
Number of businesses supported to introduce/expand E-business
2
Number of businesses who have started to export as result of grant
2
Rural Basic Services
Number of people benefiting from improved services / infrastructure
£1,725,000
1,150
Number of participants in bespoke training
23
Number of projects supported for investments in local basic services for rural population
11
Village Renewal
£1,206,400
Number of people benefiting from village renewal projects
755
Number of Villages supported to draw up or enhance village development plans
15
Number of projects supported for investments in village development
8
Number of derelict/vacant properties brought back into use
8
Rural Broadband
Number of operations for investments in broadband infrastructure and access to
£230,000
1
broadband, including e-government services
Number of people benefiting from new or improved IT infrastructures
138
For Further Information:
Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership
c/o Derry City and Strabane District Council
98 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7NN
Tel: 028 71253253 x 6917
Email: [email protected]
www.derrystrabane.com/rural
11
APPENDIX 1:
Map of the Derry Strabane Local Action Group Eligible area
Figure 1 : Map of the Derry Strabane Local Action Group Eligible area
Note: The core rural area of Derry and Strabane Local Action
Group area is based on the following 18 Super Output Areas.
This is the area defined as rural in the Community plan.

Artigarvan

Enagh 2

Banagher

Finn

Castlederg

Glenderg

Clare

Holly Mount 1

Claudy 1

Newtownstewart

Claudy 2

Plumbridge

Donemana

Sion Mills

Eglinton 1

Slievekirk

Eglinton 2

Victoria Bridge
However, the LAG Board, based on a range of areas being
defined as eligible rural areas in the previous RDP Programme,
also agreed that the following areas would also be included in
the 2014-2020 RDP defined rural area for Derry and Strabane.
Culmore
Drumahoe
New Buildings
Nixon’s Corner
Strathfoyle
Coshquin
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