Successful launch of new Village Renewal Funding

THE first of five Information Sessions was held in Ballymoney last week to launch the opening of the Village Renewal Measure of the Rural Development Programme in the North East Region which includes the Council Areas of Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne and Moyle.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Sep 2010, 18:26 BST

Information Sessions were also held in Broughshane and Larne on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings and were well attended.

On Tuesday evening the Chair of the JCC for the North East Region Alderman William Alexander spoke to welcome the attendees stating: "I am delighted to be here today in the Ballymoney Borough Council area for the launch of this innovative programme. This part of the programme is one of the most exciting parts of our strategy and I am looking forward to lots of Villages getting involved in this project and I am sure Rural Development funds will make a real difference in the North East Area".

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Andrew McAllister Rural Development Programme Manager highlighted the importance of investment in the social and economic fabric of Villages through integrated Village Plans for the development of a vibrant community.

Their speeches were followed by a PowerPoint presentation by Catrina McNeill, Project Officer and Caroline Carey, Village Renewal Facilitator on the general Rural Development programme and more specifically the Village Renewal Measure.

All Villages within the North East Area are being given the opportunity to apply for up to 75% funding for either a Village Plan or a Project related to the regeneration of Villages. The first stage is for groups to submit preliminary applications, with a closing date of the 4th October, late applications cannot be accepted and Villages will be unable to apply again until Year 2 of the funding.

For successful applicants grant assistance up to 75% of the costs, in the case of Village Plans 5,250 and for projects 62,000, is available to those who are deemed eligible and meet the criteria. It is anticipated that invited Villages will be invited to submit full applications by the end of December with projects on the ground early 2011.

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With a further two information sessions scheduled Caroline Carey, Village Renewal Facilitator explained: "A good range of community groups were in attendance but for those who have not yet had the chance to attend an Information Session on Village Renewal two more sessions are due to take place this week from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday 15th September in the Garvagh Community Buildings (GADDA) in Garvagh and on Thursday 16th September at Tilly Mollys in Armoy".

The Village Renewal Measure is being part funded under Axis 3&4 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

If you require further information please contact Caroline Carey Village Renewal Facilitator at Moyle District Council or Catrina McNeill Project Officer North East Region with specific queries, email [email protected]

Tel: 028 2076 2225 or [email protected] Tel: 028 2563 8263

Related topics:BallymenaLarne