£125k for Environmental Work 10 October 2012
£125,000 for Community Environmental Work
The Minister for the Environment Alex Attwood MLA has provided funding for community and voluntary organisations in Northern Ireland to carry out ‘oven ready’ environmental projects before the end of March 2013. This funding, following on from a successful pilot programme run in early 2012, will provide at least £125,000 to local groups to improve their environment.
In the pilot exercise completed in March of this year 42 projects carried out by 23 different organisations delivered environmental, community, social and economic benefits to local communities across Northern Ireland. The success of the scheme encouraged the Minister to again provide funding for projects devised by and for local communities. The Fund is open to not–for–profit organisations with experience of delivering environmental projects and projects from the whole range of environmental interests are encouraged, including built and natural heritage, environmental protection, environmental education and public awareness. The Fund can provide up to 100% of the direct costs of a project, but involvement of partners and volunteers are highly encouraged.
Applications and guidance documents can be obtained from Northern Ireland Environment Link, which is again administering the scheme on behalf of the NI Environment Agency (sue@nienvironmentlink.org). Closing date for receipt of applications will be 19 October with announcements of initial awards by 12 November. Applicants are encouraged to register their interest in applying as soon as possible at the above email address.
‘We were delighted with the quality of the schemes delivered in the pilot exercise earlier this year and the Minister shared our enthusiasm when he visited a display of the successful projects in June. We hope to have a range of innovative and practical projects put forward for this round of funding, and confidently expect them to exceed our expectations, just as the previous projects did’ commented Sue Christie, CEO of NIEL and administrator of the scheme. ‘This is a very creative and useful way to demonstrate the incredible value that can be delivered when government, the voluntary sector and local people work together to address environmental issues.’
For more information please contact; Sue Christie, 028 9045 5770; evenings, 028 9268 2770: mobile, 077 6925 3700.
