Funding and support for social enterprises to create affordable, high-quality workspaces for local businesses.
This programme closes at 5pm on Friday 20 March 2026.
Who it is for
The Workspace Development Programme is open to Local Enterprise Centres and Social Enterprises based within the Mid and East Antrim Borough area who support business growth and entrepreneurship, typically including offering business workspace, mentoring, and business development services.
Applicants must also meet the following criteria
- The applicant must own the subject property located within Mid and East Antrim
Borough Council area.
OR - The applicant must have a lease in place with a minimum lease period (without any break
clauses) on a property within Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area, with the
following thresholds applicable to The Workspace Development Programme- Total Project Costs Up to £50,000 – minimum 10 years remaining on lease.
- Total Project Costs £50,001 and above – minimum 15 years remaining on lease.
Leaseholders must have written permission from the property owner or landlord to apply.
All projects funded under Phase 1 Pre-Development/Technical Assistance of The Workspace Development Programme will need to demonstrate how they can/will contribute to supporting Northern Ireland’s manufacturing and tradeable services sectors, which are focused on helping businesses grow, export, innovate, and create jobs across the area.
All projects will also need to demonstrate how the outputs from the Phase 1 Pre-Development/Technical Assistance project will ultimately lead to the subject property being ready to move to Phase 2 Capital Infrastructure Works.
Support you can get
The Workspace Development Programme aims to address the shortage of affordable, high-quality workspace and enterprise space for local businesses, start-ups, and independent professionals across the borough.
This call is for applications for Phase 1 Pre-Development/Technical Assistance funding.
Support available includes
- options appraisals
- feasibility studies
- business plans
- architectural and technical services
- specialist technical reports and/or surveys
- statutory approval fees
Available funding
The programme will provide funding as follows
- Funding of up to a maximum of £100,000 per distinct project is available based on total
project costs/value. - Up to a maximum of £350,000 funding is available overall towards any single distinct
project. This includes any subsequent Phase 2 Capital Infrastructure Works project. The
£350,000 maximum funding limit is therefore inclusive of any Phase 1 PreDevelopment/Technical Assistance and Capital Infrastructure Works funding. - Rates of match funding required for Phase 1 Pre-Development/Technical Assistance are
- Total Project Value Match Funding by Applicants
- Up to £30,000 – 10%
- £30,001 – £50,000 – 20%
- £50,001 – £75,000 – 30%
- £75,001 and above – 40%
Match funding rates are per individual project.
Support organisers
- Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Next Steps
on the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council website
Published
17 February 2026
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