From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett has today reminded those interested in applying for funding under the Open Call for new locally-led farm and community biodiversity initiatives that the closing date for receipt of applications is next Wednesday, 31 March.
The Open Call was launched in February by Minister Hackett under her Department’s Rural Development Programme using the European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP) model. The Call invites applications for projects focusing on increased biodiversity through collaboration with small groups of farmers or other land managers.
Commenting, Minister Hackett said,
“This is a wonderful opportunity for farmers and other land managers to improve local habitats and to deliver for local environments. There is up to €1.25m available for suitable projects so I strongly encourage all interested bodies around the country to consider applying before the deadline.”
Applicants are reminded to familiarise themselves with the Guidelines for Applicants which are available on the Department website. The closing date for submission of completed application forms and the project proposal is midnight on the 31st of March 2021 to EIP@agriculture.gov.ie
Note for Editors:
A guideline document on this Open Call can be downloaded from the Department website at
or by contacting the EIP Section at EIP@agriculture.gov.ie , low call number 0761 064 415.
Applications should be submitted by midnight on the 31st March 2021 to EIP@agriculture.gov.ie
The EIP initiative is co-funded by the EU Commission as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. Essentially it involves a range of stakeholders (farmers, advisors, researchers, NGOs etc) coming together in what are termed ‘Operational Groups’ to trial innovative solutions that the Group themselves have developed.
There is a wide range of EIP Operational Groups already in existence under Irelands RDP, but this is the first call for proposals which specifically targets smaller-scale local biodiversity initiatives.
Support for this Open Call is structured around a competitive fund. All applications will be evaluated by a committee for relevance to the EIP programme and value of work proposed to enhance biodiversity in the community. A final shortlist will be formed from which DAFM will select projects for implementation during 2021 with up to 100% funding provided.
ENDS