Omagh Forum for Rural Associations

18/06/2026

Could you be the next Fermanagh Young Leader?

Applications are now open for the Fermanagh Young Leaders Programme, offering young people aged 17–25 the chance to develop leadership skills, gain hands-on experience in grant-making and help decide how £4,000 of funding is awarded to local community projects.

Former participants, including Leah Lattimore, have gained valuable experience, built confidence, developed new skills and gone on to take part in exciting opportunities locally and internationally. The programme is a fantastic addition to any CV, with participants also achieving an OCN qualification.

If you're passionate about making a difference in your community, building your leadership skills and meeting like-minded young people from across Fermanagh, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

📅 The programme runs from September 2026 to April 2027, with weekly sessions at Fermanagh House, Enniskillen.

Apply now and take your first step towards becoming a future community leader.

🔗 Read the full story and find out how to apply:
https://fermanaghtrust.org/applications-are-now-open-for-the-fermanagh-young-leaders-forum/

As part of the Investing in Community Volunteers Programme, 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

17/06/2026

Could you help improve support for women in rural communities?
A research study is exploring how living in Fermanagh and Omagh can shape women’s experiences of domestic abuse.
Women aged 18+ who live, or have lived, in the district and have experienced domestic abuse are invited to take part in a confidential interview.
Participation is entirely voluntary, and all information shared will be treated in confidence. Interviews can take place in person or online, and a £20 payment is provided as a thank you for your time.
👉 Find out more: https://bit.ly/4es8RWo See less

17/06/2026

17/06/2026

We’re calling on compassionate, energetic volunteers to help us make a real impact in the fight against homelessness.

Shelter NI is hosting a series of street collections across Northern Ireland, and we need YOU to be part of it, whether you can spare just 1 hour or up to 3 hours.

Street collections are a vital way for us to raise funds and awareness. Just a few hours of your time can help provide shelter, support, and hope to those who need it most.
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or trying it for the first time, we’ll provide everything you need — buckets, badges, and plenty of encouragement!

https://shelterni.enthuse.com/cf/street-collections-2026
Sign up or ask questions:
Email [email protected] or call 028 9024 7752

17/06/2026

Looking to gain valuable work experience? 👇

📢 Omagh Jobs & Benefits Office is hosting a Work Experience Event for individuals aged 16–65.

This is a great opportunity to meet local employers offering short-term placements, helping you build skills and boost your confidence on your journey into employment.

🗓 Wednesday 17 June 2026
⏰ 10.00am – 12.00pm
📍 Omagh Jobs & Benefits Office

If you’re currently unemployed, this programme could help you take the next step towards work.

👉 Find out more: www.nidirect.gov.uk/work-experience-programme

16/06/2026

FODC welcomes the Great Northern Road Run to Omagh
Friday 26 June
Working steam engines will make their way into Omagh town centre. Going on display at Hotel
Rue Car Park from 12 noon to 4pm, come along and enjoy the sight and sound of working steam
engines, plus live music from 1pm.
The ‘Railways That Shaped Tyrone’ exhibition is also currently on display at the Strule Arts Centre,
Omagh with a free guided tour (booking required to reserve your place) of the exhibition on offer
on Friday 26 June.
For further information please visit

Planning, organising and attending events and festivals in the Fermanagh & Omagh council area.

16/06/2026

CLOSING NEXT MONDAY 22nd June 2026 ⏰

Omagh Forum for Rural Associations is delighted to let you know that the Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme 2026 is now OPEN for applications, closing at noon on Monday 22nd June 2026

This Scheme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs under the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme and is being delivered in the Fermanagh and Omagh area by Omagh Forum for Rural Associations and Fermanagh Rural Community Network.

Guidance and Online Application Form Links are available here
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/.../rural-micro-capital...

Key objectives

The Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2026 has been designed to:
• Help rural community-led, voluntary groups to address local issues of access poverty, financial poverty, and social isolation.
• Improve the lives of rural communities, and in particular the wellbeing of isolated individuals; and,
• In line with the draft Green Growth Strategy for Northern Ireland provide opportunity to community-led, voluntary groups to implement energy efficiency measures / environmental improvements.
The Grant Scheme
Micro Capital grants between £500 and £2,500 are available to rural community-led, voluntary organisations for projects tackling issues of local poverty and / or social isolation, and / or implementing energy efficiency measures / environmental improvements. Projects must focus on one of the following four themes:
• Energy Efficiency* / Environment Improvement**.
• Modernisation (of building(s) / assets).
• Information Communication Technology (ICT).
• Health and Wellbeing.

The Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme can offer grant aid from 50% up to 85% of the total eligible cost of your project. NB: The total project cost must not exceed £5,000. Match funding for your contribution of at least 15% must be in the form of a ‘cash’ contribution. Labour or ‘in-kind’ contributions will not be accepted.
In order to ensure that as many groups as possible get the opportunity to benefit from this Scheme, organisations can only make one application to the Scheme.
*To encourage local communities to implement energy efficiency / environmental improvements eligible costs may include, e.g., draught proofing, double glazed windows, change of lighting to LED, light sensors/timers, insulation, replace kettles with a water boiler.
**Environmental improvements eligible costs may include the purchase of 100% gardening equipment, e.g. tunnel kits, pots, spades, hoes and raised beds. A maximum 15% of the overall project costs may be used to purchase plants, trees, hedges, flowers etc. (Plants / shrubs / flowers must be perennial, i.e. plants that live multiple seasons).

Application form and guidelines are available by registering at the following link:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/.../rural-micro-capital...

16/06/2026

Children with a statement of special educational needs who need a special diet may be entitled to Free School Meals support.

👉 Apply now on EA Connect: https://connect.eani.org.uk/parent/login

The Free School Meals and Uniform helpdesk can also be contacted on 028 9047 0233, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm.

🔗 There is lot of information and guidance available at http://eani.org.uk/fsm

16/06/2026

16/06/2026

Loneliness Awareness Week is a reminder of how important local connections are - and how community spaces and activities can help reduce loneliness and social isolation in rural areas.

DAERA’s Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) 2026/27 is open now, offering £500–£2,500 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.

One week left to apply - closing 12 noon Monday 22 June 2026 (minimum 15% match funding applies). For advice and support, contact your local Rural Support Network.
🔗https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/rural-micro-capital-grant-scheme-rmcgs-202627

Northern Area Community Network Omagh Forum for Rural Associations Fermanagh Rural Community Network Cwsan MidUlster County Down Rural Community Network