Rural Community Network

Rural Community Network Rural Community Network is a membership organisation which supports rural communities throughout NI. RCN adopts a community development approach to its work.

Rural Community Network is a voluntary membership based organisation supporting rural communities across Northern Ireland. RCN works with rural communities and groups to address issues relating to poverty, inequality, community and good relations. Areas of work include community development training, action research, policy analysis, peace-building, good relations, strategic planning, consultation, mediation and facilitation.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) 2026/27 is now ope...
21/05/2026

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) 2026/27 is now open.
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/ps22million-rural-micro-capital-grant-scheme-rmcgs-20262027-opens-applications

Grants of £500–£2,500 are available to eligible rural community and voluntary organisations and Social Economy Enterprises for small-scale capital projects tackling locally identified rural poverty and/or social isolation.

Apply by 12.00pm midday on Monday 22 June 2026.
For advice and support, contact your local Rural Support Network which can be found here: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/rural-support-network-contact-details

I don’t normally post personal stuff on our work page. But I wanted to thank everyone for the outpouring of lov...
20/05/2026

I don’t normally post personal stuff on our work page.
But I wanted to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support that we as a family have received over the past eight weeks.
Molly, my eldest daughter, and my husband, Andrew, took part in BBC Race Across the World in September and October last year. It was an opportunity of a lifetime to travel and experience the world.
The last episode will be broadcast tomorrow night at 8pm on BBC1.

I want to acknowledge and pay tribute to the RCN board members and fantastic staff who supported me to carry out my work commitments and balance extra ‘mammy’ duties while the two explorers were away.

Tune in tomorrow night to watch the last leg of their epic adventure!

Thank you to the RCN family and our friends for all your support over the past few months!!
Legends!!

A huge thank you to Mairead and everyone at Glenshane Community Development Limited for such a warm welcome and inspiri...
19/05/2026

A huge thank you to Mairead and everyone at Glenshane Community Development Limited for such a warm welcome and inspiring visit on Friday, 8th May 2026.

Both classes from our Diploma in Community Development Practice (Newry & Strabane) thoroughly enjoyed the experience and gained valuable insight from hearing firsthand about the incredible work of Glenshane Community Development and Gaelcholáiste Dhoire. Everyone came away genuinely impressed by the scale, impact, and importance of the work being carried out within the community.

Thank you to everyone involved for your openness, generosity, and hospitality — it was a truly valuable and memorable visit.

Diploma in Community Development Practice – 2026 - 2027This is a one-year (part time) course accredited by the Universit...
12/05/2026

Diploma in Community Development Practice – 2026 - 2027

This is a one-year (part time) course accredited by the University of Galway for the year 2026 – 2027.
The Diploma in Community Development Practice has been designed to enable Community Activists (volunteers and paid staff in the community / voluntary sector) to develop the knowledge, understanding and essential practical skills and experience required to provide leadership within this field.

One off cost of £150 per person. If you are unwaged then we can talk to you about how we can support you to meet this payment.

Places are limited to 25 students.
Location: Coleraine
Participants are particularly welcome from rural communities in the Coleraine/Causeway Coast and Glens area.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 18th August 2026 @ 12 noon. Please apply through the form here: https://forms.gle/gW1cSy7v5e2mEtya7

If you would like an application form please email [email protected] for further information.

The Benefact Group's Health & Wellbeing Special Draw opens today!✨14 days✨10 charities✨£5,000 eachTo support the incredi...
11/05/2026

The Benefact Group's Health & Wellbeing Special Draw opens today!

✨14 days
✨10 charities
✨£5,000 each

To support the incredible work that so many charities do to support health and wellbeing, the first special draw of the year will award £5,000 each to 10 charities working in this area.

Nominate your chosen charity through the website here, as comments are not counted: https://movementforgood.com/draws/special/health-wellbeing

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the Rural Community Network Open Day on Thursday 30 April 2026. It was a f...
08/05/2026

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the Rural Community Network Open Day on Thursday 30 April 2026. It was a fantastic opportunity to share more about our work, connect with people from across rural communities, and explore new ways to get involved.

We really appreciated the time, energy, and ideas everyone brought along — it made the day both inspiring and worthwhile. We look forward to building on these conversations and continuing to work together to support thriving rural communities.

DAERA Public Consultation on Rural NI: Our New Approach 2026-2041 Rural Community Network was pleased to be part of the ...
07/05/2026

DAERA Public Consultation on Rural NI: Our New Approach 2026-2041

Rural Community Network was pleased to be part of the co-design process for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs new 15-year Rural Policy, Rural NI: Our New Approach 2026–2041.

This policy has been shaped through engagement with rural organisations, communities and stakeholders, ensuring that rural voices and lived experience are at the heart of future decision-making.

Our CEO, Kate Clifford, welcomed the opportunity to contribute to this important work.

So what does this mean for rural communities?
This new long-term approach aims to:
• Put rural voices at the centre of government decision-making
• Strengthen local partnerships to deliver real change on the ground
• Improve understanding of rural needs across all departments
• Support more resilient, connected and sustainable rural communities
• Ensure policies are shaped in line with the Rural Needs Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

At its core, this policy is about recognising the value of rural communities and ensuring they have the support, investment, and influence needed to thrive over the next 15 years.

RCN will continue to work with our members and partners to ensure this policy delivers meaningful outcomes for rural people and places.

We encourage everyone to engage with the consultation and have your say 👇
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/public-consultation-rural-ni-our-new-approach-2026-2041

Dillon Decided: What Next for Human Rights in Northern Ireland?The UK Supreme Court is expected to hand down its judgmen...
06/05/2026

Dillon Decided: What Next for Human Rights in Northern Ireland?

The UK Supreme Court is expected to hand down its judgment in the Dillon case on Thursday 7 May, a ruling that will have far reaching consequences for the strength and scope of Article 2 of the Windsor Framework and the future enforcement of rights and equality standards derived from the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

In response, the Human Rights Consortium and the Queen’s University Belfast Human Rights Centre, will host a rapid response online seminar on Friday 8 May to provide immediate expert analysis of the judgment and its implications.

📅 Friday 8 May 2026
⏰ 11:30–12:30 (BST)
📍 Online (Zoom)
🎟 Free to attend
👉 Reserve your free place: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/humanrightsconsortium/2192818

Trussell Trust: 'Pathways to End the Need for Foodbanks in NI' Information ExchangeTuesday 2 June, 10am – 4pmThe Skainos...
06/05/2026

Trussell Trust: 'Pathways to End the Need for Foodbanks in NI' Information Exchange

Tuesday 2 June, 10am – 4pm
The Skainos Centre, Belfast & ONLINE

Pathways to End the Need for Foodbanks in NI is a one-day hybrid conference at The Skainos Centre or Online, which aims to bring together organisations and campaigners to discuss a framework to end the need for food banks in NI.

This event is facilitated by Trussell and supported by: NI Anti Poverty Network (NIAPN), Feeding Britain, Advice NI, Rural Communities Network, Ulster University, Food Ethics Council and East Belfast Mission.

Support is available to help with fuel costs and the event is structured in a hybrid way to allow as much involvement as possible from across Northern Ireland.

For more information or to register, please visit:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trussell-pathways-to-end-the-need-for-food-banks-in-ni-information-exchange-tickets-1987498506535

🦔 Nature Night – 20th May 7-9pm, Desertcreat Parish Hall, CookstownJoin Ulster Wildlife for a special evening of nature ...
05/05/2026

🦔 Nature Night – 20th May 7-9pm, Desertcreat Parish Hall, Cookstown

Join Ulster Wildlife for a special evening of nature connection, pollinators, peatlands and hedgehogs!
This event is part of Mid Ulster’s Biodiversity week.

Sign up here: https://events.humanitix.com/nature-night

Tomorrow is the day!Drop in and learn more about the work being completed by the staff at RCN, and network with others i...
29/04/2026

Tomorrow is the day!

Drop in and learn more about the work being completed by the staff at RCN, and network with others involved in rural communities.

Hope to see you there!

Address

38a Oldtown Street
Cookstown
BT808EF

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+442886766670

Website

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