Write a commentThe first year of the Financial Assistance Programme from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been a resounding success with £837,000 being awarded to local Community projects across the district including £2850.00 to the recent Iúr Cinn Fleadh in Newry City.
The Financial Assistance programme is targeted at the Community, Voluntary Sector organisations across the new Council area, and invited groups to apply for funding ranging from £250 – £100,000 to deliver local projects.
The first Call opened in December 2014 and included seven themes; Sports Development, Community Support, Skills Development, Economic Development, Small Grants, Major / Minor Events and Summer Schemes. A second call was opened in May 2015 under three additional themes of; Good relations, Community Festivals and a Capital Fund.
There was an overwhelming response and under the two calls Council have processed 635 applications and have been able to support a total of 260, nearly half of the applications received. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is delighted at the interest shown by the Community, Voluntary sector and the calibre of the applications.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Naomi Bailie stated, “I am delighted with the success of the Financial Assistance programme, and am very impressed with the variety of innovative projects that have been supported. Successful projects have been wide ranging from summer schemes, sports events as well as capital build projects. Many of the events took place over the summer period with great success and community participation and I was pleased to be able to attend a number of these and see the work first hand for myself.”
Cllr Bailie continued, “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council recognise the hard work of the Community Voluntary sector in making the district such a vibrant and engaging place to live and look forward to continuing to support local projects through the Financial Assistance programme going forward. Council do recognise that there were a number of applications that were not successful and going forward we will roll out capacity building programmes to help groups apply for grants.”
If you would like any further information on the Financial Assistance programme contact Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Programmes Unit on 028 3031 3024 or e-mail programmesunit@newryandmourne.gov.uk
A full list of successful applications can soon be be viewed on the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council website at www.newrymournedown.org
