The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is inviting applications to the third year of its Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP).

The programme was established to provide an integrated, cohesive approach for rural communities seeking to tackle isolation and loneliness and to promote social inclusion and wellbeing through participation in the arts. For the purposes of this programme, loneliness and social isolation are defined as:

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".

For the 2024/25 period, grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available. The funding can be used to cover the costs of projects and events, including but not limited to costs of artists and tutors, venue and equipment hire, materials, volunteer expenses, transport costs, publicity and marketing costs.

Applications will be accepted from the widest possible range of organisations, providing they have a legal constitution. This includes: