Dear NIEL Members,

I just wanted to wish everyone well for the coming weeks. Covid–19 presents a range of issues and concerns, but we are truly in this together.

NIEL will, of course, continue to provide updates to the sector through our communications; let us know if there is anything you want us to cover. We are also moving NIEL meetings (working groups etc.) to virtual meetings/conference calls whereby participants will be invited to join meetings remotely. We are currently making arrangements to enable this to happen and will forward details in due course.

The NIEL office is now closed and all staff are now working from home. If you want to contact us about anything the best option will be via e–mail.

NIEL has been undertaking a range of activities in response to Covid–19. Please see below.

Following last week’s email to members, NIEL has:

• Been in contact with the Department and raised potential issues around funding for organisations
• Circulated the Environment Links UK and National Lottery Fund survey, “Environment and Conservation Organisations Coronavirus Impact Survey” – we hope to share information from this survey next week
• Responded to other organisations for information on the impact of Covid
• Is part of the DAERA Covid–19 Stakeholder Group

We’d like to offer any support we can  to members. Please contact us if there is anything we can help with. We have a broad network of contacts, so even if we don’t know the answer we may be able to point you to someone who does.

Take care all,

Craig.