The purpose of the Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP) is to provide an integrated, cohesive approach to the needs of local rural communities as they emerge from the global Covid pandemic, recognising the specific issues they face as a result.

The overarching theme is combatting isolation and loneliness, and promoting social inclusion. The pandemic and the resulting lockdowns across the UK have taken a toll on individual lives, with mental health and well-being adversely affected as families and friends were separated for sustained periods of time. Intergenerational family relationships being particularly affected. This has been compounded in rural communities which are characterised by smaller and more dispersed populations.

There are many ways to define and differentiate between loneliness and social isolation:

• Loneliness, which can affect any age group, is the ‘subjective, unpleasant and distressing phenomenon stemming from a discrepancy between individuals’ desired and achieved levels of social relations’
• Social isolation is ‘an imposed isolation from normal social networks caused by loss of mobility or deteriorating health’

The impact that loneliness and social isolation can have on the physical, mental and social health of isolated older people in particular is well documented. The Campaign to End Loneliness points to research which shows that lacking social connections is as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Lonely individuals are more likely to visit their GP, use more medication and have a higher incidence of falls. They are also more likely to enter early into residential or nursing care.

The Arts Council believes that arts, and coming together as communities, can all make a vital contribution to building health, confidence and healthy integrated communities.

The Arts Council has worked in tandem with local authority community development and arts officers to ensure as far as possible that access to the funding available is widely disseminated.

Groups can apply for one-off projects or for a programme of events. Projects do not have to be new: existing programmes which are successful and meet the strategic themes of REAP are eligible.

The definition of rural is outlined in Appendix 1 in the guidance notes below and is taken from the NISRA review of statistical classification and delineation of settlements in March 2015. While engagement must be targeted at rural communities as defined here, Local Authorities and other groups based in urban areas may apply for programmes to be delivered in rural communities.

Strategic Themes of the Programme

Projects should demonstrate how they would target participants from rural areas and must meet one or more of the following strategic themes:

Isolation and Loneliness

• Providing opportunities for social interaction
• Working with communities to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness

Social Inclusion

• Combating social exclusion through the arts that promote inclusion and sharing
• Working to create a more peaceful, fair and inclusive community that does not discriminate against anyone
• Provide opportunities to participate in activities which may help improve physical, mental and social wellbeing
• Working to promote positive mental health
• Working to promote wellbeing

Who can apply?

They welcome applications from the widest possible range of organisations. You will be required to provide proof that you have a legal constitution.

• Registered charities and other organisations which cannot distribute profits
• Groups of organisations working together to deliver specific projects
• Formally constituted parent-teacher associations
• Local Authorities
• Arts Organisations
• Organisations based in Republic of Ireland border communities are eligible to apply, however, any proposed project must benefit people living in rural communities in Northern Ireland.

Applications from single organisations are permissible, but should demonstrate partnership working. Consortium applications demonstrating partnership working will be prioritised. Partnerships might include sector providers such as rural development organisations, older people’s providers and agencies, arts organisations or Local Authorities.

For partnership/consortium applications, a single organisation must be the lead applicant (ie.the group in whose name the application is submitted, to whom the grant will be awarded and who will be accountable for delivering the project and reporting on it to ACNI). You must clearly identify in the application form which organisation you are partnering with.

How much can you apply for?

You can apply for an award between £500 and £10,000 for a project.

What you can apply for

You can apply for the following eligible costs, which are indicative and not limited to:

• Costs of artists and tutors (including fees , accommodation, subsistence (capped at £15 per day and will be paid through any funding awarded), travel. If applying for artists and/or tutor costs, you must supply the CVs / biography / history of artistic practice)
• Transport costs, including vehicle hire (this could be to transport participants to courses/activities, for example)
• Existing programmes which meet the criteria of the scheme are eligible – but only for activity which will not begin prior to decision letters.
• Materials
• Travel expenses within Northern Ireland – please note Arts Council has a maximum allowance of 0.27p per mile. If applicants are partnering with organisations in border communities and the project would necessitate travel across the border, this additional travel is eligible within reason.
• Equipment hire
• Volunteer expenses
• Venue hire for workshops, training, rehearsals and performance
• Publicity and marketing costs
• Evaluation costs
• Participation, education and outreach work in film and media
• Equipment costs to a maximum value of 50% of your requested amount.
  Equipment items will only be considered if identified as essential within your project and where it is vital for its successful delivery. Arts Council will not fund equipment only projects. Contributions towards laptops or PCs will be up to a maximum of £1,200; and, towards tablets, up to £500.

Please note: the above list of eligible activity is not exhaustive. If you have a project idea and are unsure if whether it would be eligible for funding, please contact the relevant artform team for guidance. http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/contactus

You can hold only one Rural Engagement Arts Programme award at a time. An award is not finished until we receive your End of Project Report. You will not be eligible to apply for another REAP award where a previous award, if applicable, has not been completed.

In addition, groups who are named partnership organisations in other REAP applications may not submit a second application in their own name to the same funding round of the programme

NOTE

For the Rural Engagement Arts Programme Council of Northern Ireland has defined rural as Bands D, E, F, G or H highlighted below. Any proposed activity must take place in these areas.

Organisations based in Bands B or C may apply to deliver projects, but the projects themselves must take place in and benefit participants living in the eligible bands – D, E, F, G or H. Organisations in Band A – Belfast – can partner with other organisations to deliver REAP projects, but the Belfast-based organization may not be the lead partner on the application.

• Band A: Belfast City
• Band B: Derry City
• Band C: Large Town, population greater than 18,000 people
• Band D – MEDIUM TOWN ,POPULATION 10,000 – 17,999

SETTLEMENT CLASSIFICATION BANDS (based on 2011 Census population):

• Band E: Small Town, population between 5,000 and 9,999 people
• Band F: Intermediate Settlements, population between 2,500 and 4,999 people
• Band G: Village, population between 1,000 and 2,499 people
• Band H: Open Countryside and small villages with population less than 1,000 people