More than one thousand rural community groups across Northern Ireland have been awarded a combined £1.65 million from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme for 2025/26. The funding supports projects that address rural poverty, social isolation, loneliness, and health and wellbeing challenges.

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir highlighted the scheme's reach during a visit to the Glens Red Squirrel Group in County Antrim, one of the 1,029 recipients.

The Glens Red Squirrel Group has received funding from the scheme every year since 2015, totalling £11,701.46 over 11 years. The group uses the grants for environmental improvements, specialist conservation equipment, and community programmes that raise awareness of the native red squirrel's declining numbers.

Volunteers told the minister how the money has helped engage local people and young people in conservation efforts across the Glens of Antrim.

Minister Muir described the scheme as a key initiative delivered through his department's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework. He said it enables community-led organisations to implement projects tailored to local needs and thanked voluntary groups for their contribution to rural life.

Breige Conway, Manager of the Northern Area Community Network which delivers the scheme on behalf of DAERA, said the programme had built capacity within groups, improved shared spaces, and helped maintain connections in rural areas.

Established to protect red squirrels in the Glens, the group continues to focus on safeguarding the area's natural heritage while bringing people together around a shared conservation goal.