This website is only one part of a wider project focusing on rural community groups and enterprises based in Co. Donegal or Co. Tyrone. The project is designed to assist these organisations explore and develop new opportunities working on a cross border basis.The Removing Barriers Project can provide assistance to help these organisations consider their ideas, build cross border relationships and develop concepts for project funding applications.

The project aims:

  • To facilitate the creation of cross-border rural economic development opportunities.
  • To assist communities to actively engage in determining their own development

The Removing Barriers Project will offer the following types of assistance:

  1. Cross border information and advice
  2. Capacity building Programmes to assist the development of community groups or enterprises
  3. Mentoring for partnerships to help build on group ideas
  4. Funding opportunities through a Small Grants programme

1. The Cross Border information and Advice Unit will:

  • Provide information and advice on the potential opportunities that exist in relation to cross-border economic activity
  • Identify potential cross border partners and highlight the benefits that may be gained from cross border co-operation
  • Facilitate the early development of your cross border partnership
  • Sign-post groups to where they may access more specialist help, information, advice and support for Cross Border activities
  • Identify common needs and deliver additional support as appropriate

2. The Cross Border Rural Economic Capacity Building Programmes will…

improve the ability of both community groups and rural enterprises to take the lead in their own development. The programme will improve the capacity of cross border partners through:

  • Raised awareness
  • The development of skills
  • An improvement in expertise

3. The mentoring programme will…

bring your community group/rural enterprise together with a mentor with relevant experience in your area of interest.

4. Cross Border Small Grants Programme may…

help your community group/rural enterprise with a small grant to undertake a cross-border project that will contribute to the rural economy. Grants will be made available for projects that meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Increase the contribution that Natural Resources make to the local economy
  • Increase the contribution that Rural Tourism / Crafts can make to the economy on a cross-border basis
  • Increase the contribution that cross-border Arts and Culture can make to the rural economy
  • Stimulate Rural Enterprise on a cross border basis