A £1 million windfall for small rural businesses in the Derry and Strabane area has been announced.

The latest round of LEADER funding, delivered under the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014 –2020, offers local rural businesses the opportunity to secure money for capital investment projects that create new jobs and enhance export potential as well as assisting with marketing collateral.

Since 2016 34 businesses in the Derry and Strabane District Council area have benefited from £1.5m of funding, which has led to the creation of 54 jobs.

The LEADER Fund is administered by Derry City and Strabane District Council on behalf of Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership.

The Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership will be hosting a series of pre-application workshops, commencing on February 27, with attendance mandatory for any business intending to apply. Previous applicants will need to re-attend one of the workshops for this call.

To book a place at one of the workshops and receive a copy of the Expression of Interest form please email rural.development@derrystrabane.com or phone Derry City and Strabane District Council on 02871 253253 x 6917.

Further information also available at www.derrystrabane.com/RBIS