Rural Action

01/06/2026

🌟 The Social Enterprise Awards opens for applications today 🌟

Rural Action is delighted to once again support this celebration of the social enterprise sector, as we once again are sponsoring an award category.

The awards recognise the outstanding work of social enterprises that are creating positive change, strengthening communities and making a real difference across Northern Ireland.

Please see below for further information on how to apply ⬇️

It's this simple. If you're not in, you can't win. The Social Enterprise Awards for NI are open for applications on Monday 1st June. This is the one night of the year when the best craic, the best social enterprises and the best social value partners are all together in one place.

Links to enter or join SENI's 'How To Zoom Guide' can be found in bio.
ENTER HERE - https://socialenterpriseni.awardsplatform.com/
REGISTER FOR 'HOW TO SESSION' https://socialenterpriseni.org/events/how-to-apply-for-the-2026-social-enterprise-awards/

01/06/2026

Our staff are part of the same rural communities we serve. When the working day ends, many of us head straight to community halls, sports pitches, youth clubs and local projects.

🌟 We volunteer because rural life depends on people stepping forward, giving their time and looking out for one another.

This Volunteers' Week, we want to celebrate not only the incredible volunteers across our rural communities, but also the spirit of service that runs through our team. We don't do it for reward. We don't do it for recognition. We do it because community matters and because rural places thrive when people get involved.

If you've ever thought about volunteering, this is your moment. Your community needs you and you have something valuable to give.

👀 Watch out for our posts throughout the week as we shine a light on the amazing volunteers making a difference in rural communities every day.

01/06/2026

Confirmed: €12,277 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded

Recipient: YMCA Larne – Rest Stop to Reset

Purpose: A cross‑community youth engagement programme delivering a range of inclusive summer activities, including sport and group outings in . The project focuses on building confidence, breaking down barriers and encouraging understanding among young people from different backgrounds through shared experiences.

Apply before 30 June: https://www.seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-maker-funding-programme

31/05/2026

Wee reminder our *Rural Action* awards are currently open, simple process, volunteer led projects

To learn more and access form:

https://ruralaction.co/what-we-do/rural-action-awards-scheme/

30/05/2026

What a beautiful concept, take a moment to look at their website 👇

29/05/2026

Would you like to take part in a four stage walk series????

The North South Way Peace Camino is a 33miles / 53km shared island walking route from Portadown to Carlingford, following the Newry Canal Towpath and Carlingford Lough shoreline.

Created as a community-led initiative, the Peace Camino invites people to walk together, reflect together and build new connections across communities and across this island. It offers a unique journey through nature, heritage, culture and conversation, linking local places and people through a shared experience of walking.

Everyone is very welcome to join the walks for peace and can register for the walks on the website:

www.northsouthwaypeacecamino.com

29/05/2026

Join us for our next guided hike at Eskaheen next Saturday, 6th June, as part of our HARC Hiking Programme.
This is a great opportunity to get outdoors, stay active, and experience the natural beauty of Inishowen in a safe and supportive group setting.

This is a cross border hike held in collaboration with Rural Area Partnership Incorporated and led by experienced Mountain Leaders Far and Wild
It is free to attend but pre-booking is essential via the link in comments below👇🌤
📧 Enquiries: [email protected]/ call 0749362218

The HARC Hiking Programme is delivered as part of the Healthy and Active Rural Communities (HARC) Project, supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by Special EU Programmes Body - SEUPB and HARC Project at RAPID

29/05/2026

The consultation on Rural NI:Our New Approach 2026-2041 closes this *Monday 1st June 2026*.

It’s not too late to have your say. Ways to respond:

Online survey:

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/public-consultation-rural-ni-our-new-approach-2026-2041

Email:
[email protected]

Write to:
Strategic Rural Policy Branch
DAERA
Jubilee House
111 Ballykelly Road
LImavady
BT49 9HP

28/05/2026

What an excellent programme - can we have one of these in every community 😉 well done to all involved in developing this great programme.

📣 Applications are now open for the Fermanagh Young Leaders Forum

Fermanagh Trust is delighted to invite applications for this exciting opportunity for young people aged 17–25 to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and make a real difference in their local community.

Running from September 2026 – April 2027, the programme gives participants the opportunity to take part in weekly sessions where they will:
✅ Develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills
✅ Gain a recognised OCN qualification in Community Development
✅ Build valuable experience for CVs, further education, and employment
✅ Work together to identify key issues affecting young people
✅ Play a direct role in awarding grant funding to local projects
✅ Contribute to meaningful change in their community

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to help shape the future of your community, we’d love to hear from you.

🗓 Closing date for applications is 1st September 2026.

Find out more and apply here: https://www.fermanaghtrust.org/fermanagh-young-leaders-forum/

Fermanagh Young Leaders Programme is administered by Fermanagh Trust through our Investing in Community Volunteers programme. The Investing in Community Volunteers Programme is one of 13 programmes as detailed in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council PEACEPLUS Local Action Plan, a project supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body - SEUPB

28/05/2026

‘Never cast a clout til May is out’

🌾 Do you remember the sayings your granny, granda, mum, dad or neighbour used to say?

Or maybe something that still makes you laugh every time you hear it?😄

We’re creating ‘A Little Book of Rural Sayings’, a special fundraising book celebrating the humour, wisdom, folklore and everyday language that has shaped rural life for generations💚

We’re inviting people across rural Northern Ireland and the border counties of Donegal, Cavan, Sligo, Leitrim, Monaghan and Louth to share the sayings, phrases and bits of inherited wisdom that deserve to be remembered and passed on.

From weather lore and farmyard humour to old-time advice and local sayings. Every contribution helps preserve the voices and traditions of rural communities for future generations.

✨ Every submission also helps support our Rural Action Awards, funding volunteer-led projects that help rural communities thrive.

📖 Each form can include up to 3 sayings
📬 Send in as many forms as you like
📅 Closing date: Friday 3rd July 2026

👉 Submit your sayings here: https://bit.ly/RuralSayingsBook

📞 Prefer to share by phone? Call us on +44 (0)28 8648 0900

Please note: while we may not be able to include every saying in the final book, every contribution will be treasured ❤️