If you would like your site to be considered for inclusion in this directory, please email us your URL and a brief description of your site's content. The RDC does not necessarily support or endorse the views and ideas expressed on these web pages. We will attempt to ensure that the links are up to date and active but we cannot guarantee their availability.

• ACRE
  ACRE is the national association of Rural Community Councils whose shared purpose is to improve the quality of life of local communities, and particularly of disadvantaged people in rural England. ACRE's aim is to facilitate the development of thriving, diverse and sustainable communities throughout rural England.
• ACTION FOR MARKET TOWNS
  Action for Market Towns is a membership organisation that exists to promote the vitality and viability of small towns, helping them to tackle the challenges they face and providing a national focus for critical issues. It is a 'not-for-profit' company, limited by guarantee, and a registered charity.
• ARMAGH AND DUNGANNON HEALTH ACTION ZONE
  The Armagh and Dungannon district council areas were designated a Health Action Zone (HAZ) by the Department of Health and Social Services in 1999. The HAZ aims to combine the efforts of all agencies with the involvement of local people to measurably improve the health and wellbeing of people in the Armagh and Dungannon areas.
• CENTRE FOR CROSS BORDER STUDIES
  The Centre for Cross Border Studies was set up in September 1999 to research and develop co-operation across the Irish border in education, business, public administration, communications and a range of other practical areas.
• CO-OPERATION IRELAND
  Co-operation Ireland is the leading charity working to bring a lasting peace to the island of Ireland. Active since 1979, Co-operation Ireland is helping to make permanent peace a reality.
  
• COUNTRYSIDE AGRI RURAL PARTNERSHIP
  
  COLLEGES OF FURTHER EDUCATION
  National Association for Managers of Student Services (NAMSS) is an organisation of managers and student advisers in Student Services in UK colleges, mainly in post-16 education, training, community and adult education.
• COMMON GROUND
  Common Ground is internationally recognised for playing a unique role in the arts and environmental fields, distinguished by the linking of nature with culture, focussing upon the positive investment people can make in their own localities, championing popular democratic involvement, and by inspiring celebration as a starting point for action to improve the quality of our everyday places.
• COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NI
  The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland is an independent grant-making organisation. We manage a broad portfolio of funds and programmes that aim to tackle social exclusion, poverty and social injustice.
• COMMUNITY FUND
  Community Fund distributes money raised by the National Lottery to support charities and voluntary and community groups throughout the UK and to UK agencies working abroad. Its main aim is to help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society and to improve the quality of life in the community.
• COMMUNITY NI
  Community NI is the central resource for information, news and discussion on the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland. It has been developed by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, with one core aim - the promotion of the voluntary and community sector.
• COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
  The Community Relations Council was set up in 1990 as an independent charity to promote better community relations between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland and, equally, to promote the recognition of cultural diversity.The Community Relations Council exists in order to promote the improvement in community relations and the appreciation of cultural diversity in Northern Ireland. Its strategic aim is to help the people of Northern Ireland to recognise and counter the effects of communal division.
• COMMUNITY TECHNICAL AID
  Community Technical Aid (CTA) is a voluntary organisation which provides assistance to projects benefiting disadvantaged communities rural and urban areas. Working in partnership with rural communities, CTA assists in the preparation of strategies for regeneration and the identification of new projects for development.
• CONSUMER COUNCIL
  Consumer Line contains useful advice and information for Northern Ireland's consumers.
• COOKSTOWN AND WESTERN SHORES AREA NETWORK
  Cookstown and Western Shores Area Network (CWSAN) is a community organisation which was formed in 1996 to represent the interests of rural community groups within the rural areas of the Cookstown District area and the Western Shores of Lough Neagh.
• COSTA
  COSTA is the Rural Support Network (RSN) for community Groups and individuals in the South Tyrone Area.
• COUNTRYSIDE RECREATION NETWORK
  UK-wide network, the CRN gives easy access to information and people concerned with countryside and related recreation matters. The Network reaches a variety of organisations and individuals in the statutory, private and voluntary sectors. The CRN is committed to exchanging and spreading information to develop best policy and practice in countryside recreation. The Internet and this website are part of this commitment.
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT
  DARD EQUALITY SCHEME
• DARD BUSINESS PLAN 2009 2010
• DISABILITY ACTION
  Disability Action works to ensure that people with disabilities attain their full rights as citizens
• ENERGY SAVING TRUST ADVICE CENTRE
  
• EQUALITY COMMISSION
  The Equality Commission is the body responsible for combating discrimination and promoting equality in Northern Ireland.
• EU GRANTS
  The EU grants' website contains information and an on-line application facility for the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and the Building Sustainability Prosperity Programmes.
• EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR INFORMATION ON LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
  AEIDL is a non-profit association specialising in the development and coordination of European networks and the provision of information and methodological tools to local development actors.
• EUROPEAN UNION INFORMATION NETWORK
  The European Information Network web site provides a gateway to European information for the UK regions.
• FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES
  The Federation for Small Business is the UK's leading political lobby group for small businesses.
• GIBSON INSTITUTE
  
• GROUNDWORK
  Established in 1981, Groundwork is the leading environmental partnership organisation in the UK. Our approach is to develop programmes which link environmental, social and economic regeneration and contribute to sustainable development.
• INVEST NI
  Invest Northern Ireland is the regional economic development agency for Northern Ireland. Our aim is to grow the economy by helping new and existing businesses to compete internationally, and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland. We principally support businesses in the manufacturing and tradeable services sectors.
• JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
  The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is the UK's largest independent social policy research and development charity. It supports a wide programme of research and development projects in housing, social care and social policy.
  
• LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
  Expert advice on creating a thriving local business community
  
• MEDIATION NORTHERN IRELAND
  Mediation Northern Ireland seeks to promote a culture of Third Party intervention in conflict. It aims to build on the growing awareness among our people that fighting and / or avoidance have not served us well, and that more creative responses, and insights to conflict must be utilised.
• MILLENNIUM COMMISSION
  The Millennium Commission distributes Lottery money to assist communities in marking the close of the second millennium and celebrating the start of the third.
• NATIONAL RURAL ENTERPRISE CENTRE
  NREC promotes a living and working countryside, finding new ways to help rural communities improve and strengthen their local economies. It works through research, consultancy and information transfer, and projects which put ideas into practice at local level.
• NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND
  New Opportunities Fund distributes money raised by the National Lottery to health, education and environment projects throughout the UK. Many of its grant programmes focus particularly on those in society who are most disadvantaged.
• NI EXECUTIVE
  The Northern Ireland Executive website provides a regularly updated gateway to information about the devolved administration in Northern Ireland.
• NORTH ANTRIM COMMUNITY NETWORK
  The North Antrim Community Network represents rural community and sectored interest groups in the council areas of Ballymena, Ballymoney, Larne and Moyle.
• NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
  The Northern Ireland Assembly website provides up to date information on what is happening in the Assembly and its Committees, together with a library of Assembly publications.
• NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION (NICVA)
  NICVA is the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action the representative body for voluntary, community and charitable groups in Northern Ireland.
• NORTHERN IRELAND ENVIRONMENT LINK
  Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) is the forum and networking body for organisations interested in the environment of Northern Ireland. It assists members to develop views on issues affecting the environment and to influence policy and practice impacting on the natural and built environment of Northern Ireland.
• NORTHERN IRELAND FARM AND COUNTRY HOLIDAY ASSOCIATION
  The Northern Ireland Farm & Country Holidays Association (NIFCHA) was formed to bring together the best of Farm and Country holiday accommodation in Northern Ireland.
• NORTHERN IRELAND HOUSING EXECUTIVE
  The Executive is Northern Ireland's comprehensive regional housing authority. Its key purpose is to assess housing needs; ensure that housing programmes are targeted at those individuals and areas in greatest need and are delivered in accordance with the principles of "Best Value"; develop strategies to influence the wider housing market and work with others to foster urban and rural renewal.
• NORTHERN IRELAND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
  The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a statutory body which aims to ensure that the Human Rights of everyone in Northern Ireland are fully and firmly protected in law, policy and practice.
• NORTHERN IRELAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (NILGA)
  Representing the ‘Voice of Local Government’ NILGA seeks to promote, strengthen and modernise the sector. The Association is supported by all main political parties and all 26 Councils in Northern Ireland.
• NORTHERN IRELAND STATISTICAL RESEARCH AGENCY
  
• NORTHERN IRELAND TENANTS ACTION PROJECT
  N.I. Tenants Action Project is an independent body which aims to increase the awareness of residents as to their rights and responsibilities in order to facilitate their effective participation in addressing their communities housing related needs.
• NORTHERN IRELAND YOUTH FORUM
  The N.I Youth Forum was set up in 1980 to raise young adult's awareness of important issues in Northern Ireland and to take action on them.
• RETAIL IN RURAL REGIONS
  Retail in Rural Regions is a programme funded under the Northern Periphery Programme. The project involves a University of Ulster base group working with 7 partners in Iceland, Finland, Greenland, Norway, Scotland, Donegal and Faroe Islands. The project looks at the issues facing retailers as they seek to survive and develop their business.  UU has set up an advisory group consisting of representatives from bodies such as the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Association, Skillsmart Retail, several retailers, and business support agencies. RDC will join this group in September 2009.  
• RURAL COLLEGE
  The Rural College is an educational and developmental resource for groups and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the European Union and Eastern Europe wishing to learn more about the broad area of local development.
• RURAL COMMUNITY NETWORK (RCN)
  The Rural Community Network (RCN) is a voluntary organisation established by local community organisations to articulate the voice of rural communities on issues relating to poverty, disadvantage and equality.
• RURAL FUTURES
  A coalition of nine UK farming and environmental organisations, between them representing millions of town and country people. The site hosts some of the latest thinking on rural issues and provides and forum for debate and anlaysis.
• RURAL SUPPORT
  The Rural Support websie aims to provide an information gateway for farmers, their families, community groups, service providers and others seeking information on rural health issues.
• RURAL TRANSPORT FUND
  The prime objective of the Rural Transport Fund is to reduce social exclusion by improving/providing transport opportunities for people with reduced mobility in rural areas.
• RURALNET
  RuralNet is an online, relationship-based peer support network. On RuralNet, knowledge is shared, partnerships are formed, ideas are crystallised into projects, projects are developed and efficiently managed for the benefit of rural people.
• THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE
  
• TRAINING FOR WOMEN NETWORK (TWN)
  TWN aims to be at the centre of the best and latest developments in training policy and practice, through its wide membership, its E.U. contacts, its management board of experts from industry, education, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and its links with the statutory sector, particularly the Department of Higher & Further Education, Training & Employment, and the Equality Commission.
• ULSTER COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TRUST (UCIT)
  The Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) is a 'not for profit' organisation which provides loan facilities, free financial support and mentoring to groups within the community economic development sector. It is committed to encouraging the growth of communities in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties by assisting local development.
• ULSTER FARMERS UNION
  Founded in 1917, the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) is the largest democratic voluntary organisation representing farmers and growers in Northern Ireland. Its central objective is to promote their interests both at home and abroad through professional lobbying.
• VIRSA -Village Retail Services Association
  ViRSA has helped many village shops throughout England and Wales to keep or even restart their Village Shop. This site shows information about ViRSA, village shops and how to make a start in saving the heart of village life
• WOMEN'S INSTITUTE (WI)
  The WI is the largest voluntary organisation for women. Through close community ties and wide-ranging activities, the WI plays a unique role in enabling women to turn their interests into achievements and their concerns into campaigns.
• YOUTH ACTION
  Youth Action Northern Ireland is a voluntary youth organisation which works to enable young people to achieve their potential.Their youthwork practice stresses the importance of personal, creative, social and political development of young people as individuals and in groups.