Community Funding still available from local environment charity

Charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, in partnership with ten local councils, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and McDonald’s UK has extended its application criteria for this year’s Live Here Love Here’s Small Grants Scheme to include support for communities struggling during the pandemic.

Communities across Northern Ireland can benefit from up to £5k of funds to support actions that help care for people in need as a result of COVID-19 with a focus on practical environmental action as well as supporting those who are trying to make steps to improve their local areas.

Applications will close on May 18.

The Small Grants Scheme, which is now in its seventh year, is part of the successful Live Here Love Here programme that has been supported from the start by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, helping make it Northern Ireland’s largest community and civic pride campaign - inspiring and motivating community volunteers to create real change for a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable Northern Ireland.

Due to Covid-19 additional criteria have been added, encouraging groups to send in their ideas on how they feel the money could support their local community – by reaching out to those affected most by the crisis.

Nicola Fitzsimons, Community Development Officer, said: “The Small Grants Scheme provides crucial funding directly to local communities that are striving to make change for the better amongst their neighbourhoods. This year is obviously different as we find ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic, so we’re opening up the application process to include support for groups who are striving to relieve some of the pressures on vulnerable people who are suffering from reduced contact with society. We know groups are currently active in their local communities supporting those who are isolating and we want to show them our support.”

Over £180k of funding is available with grants from £500 to £5,000 open to volunteer and community groups, all school and third level education organisations, youth groups and sports clubs undertaking community based environmental projects.

For ideas on how to help your community and to apply online, visit www.liveherelovehere.org. Applications are now open – closing date is Monday, May 18, for any questions email [email protected] or call 07912178384.

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you

https://www.newsletter.co.uk