Grant aid windfall for groups

Pictured at the Craigavon Borough Council Community Development Grant Aid Cheque Presentation held in Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre were Cllr Darryn Causby, Chair of the Development Committee and Olga Murtagh, Director of Development with Council Officers and recipients of the Grant Aid cheques. RicPics. 22/5/13.

The money was granted via the Community Development Grant Aid scheme, an annual programme funded by Craigavon Borough Council’s Community Development Section and the Voluntary Community Unit of the Department for Social Development through the Community Support Programme.

Sixty-eight community group representatives received their grant cheques at a presentation ceremony held in Craigavon Civic Conference Centre last week.

The funding will help purchase essential equipment for community groups and help with general running costs and training for volunteers. It will also help encourage volunteering and community development activities in areas across Craigavon.

On presenting the cheques to the groups, chairperson of the development committee councillor Daryn Causby, said: “The Community Development Grant Aid Scheme is a vital resource to many community and voluntary groups across the borough.

“This money will provide a much valued source of funding to many groups in the area and will benefit and reshape our local communities for the better. It will also help groups lever other sources of funding from funding bodies.”

The Community Development Grant Aid Scheme is just one of a number of ways Craigavon Borough Council’s Development Department addresses community development issues and support community and voluntary groups throughout the borough.

Other mechanisms include the provision of advice services funding, delivery of a regular programme of community capacity training, networking/themed events and assistance with regeneration schemes. To find out more contact the Community Development Team on 028 38312540