Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir has announced a funding call for applications to increase awareness, embed and support the implementation of the NI Food Strategy Framework and the Food Action Plan.
Applications are invited from not-for-profit organisations, registered charities and local authorities.
Funding will be provided through a new second strand of the NI Regional Food Programme.
Welcoming the opening of the programme, Minister Muir said: “Collaboration will be key to the delivery of the Food Action Plan.
“I am therefore delighted to seek proposals from organisations interested in bringing the action plan to life.
“I would encourage stakeholders to consider the actions they can take that will ensure that our food positively impacts on the health of our people, our planet and of our future prosperity.
“This funding call is a significant step towards the implementation of the [Stormont] Executive’s Food Strategy Framework Action Plan.”
NI Food Strategy Framework
Applications are now open for projects taking place from July 15, 2025 to March 31, 2026, and must be submitted by 4:00p.m on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
A total fund of up to £250,000 is available which may be awarded to one or more projects.
Applications for funding must complement the Stormont Executive’s Food Strategy Framework, published by Minister Muir in November 2024.
They must also detail how they will contribute to increasing awareness among stakeholders of the Food Action Plan’s three missions:
- Mission One – to use food to improve lifelong health and wellbeing;
- Mission Two – to support environmentally sustainable, safe and ethical agri-food supply chains;
- Mission Three – to further develop sustainable economic prosperity within the agri-food sector.
Projects should also seek to build capacity among stakeholders to take steps that help deliver these missions, according to the department.
Successful applications to Strand Two of the programme can obtain up to 80% financial contributions on eligible project expenditure for projects embedding and supporting the implementation of the NI Food Strategy Framework and the Food Action Plan.
Scheme rules mean that only not-for-profit groups with a Northern Ireland membership, registered charities or not-for-profit regional development agencies that plan to deliver projects that raise the profile of NI regional food can apply.
Applications for collaborative ventures involving two or more eligible organisations working together to deliver the objectives of the programme are also allowed.
