Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has announced a new funding call, opening Monday, June 2, 2025, to increase awareness and support the implementation of the NI Food Strategy Framework and its associated Food Action Plan.

A total fund of up to £250,000 is available through a new second strand of the NI Regional Food Programme, which may be awarded to one or more projects. Applications are invited from not-for-profit organisations, registered charities, and local authorities. Minister Muir emphasised that "Collaboration will be key to the delivery of the Food Action Plan," encouraging stakeholders to submit proposals that will positively impact the health of people, the planet, and future prosperity through food. He described the funding call as a "significant step" towards implementing the Executive's Food Strategy Framework Action Plan, which he published in November 2024.

Projects applying for funding must align with the Executive’s Food Strategy Framework and detail how they will contribute to increasing awareness among stakeholders of the Food Action Plan’s three core missions: improving lifelong health and wellbeing through food; supporting environmentally sustainable, safe, and ethical agri-food supply chains; and further developing sustainable economic prosperity within the agri-food sector. The application period runs from Monday, June 2, 2025, for projects taking place between July 15, 2025, and March 31, 2026, with a submission deadline of 4pm on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Further information, including application forms and guidance notes, is available on the DAERA website.