A Living Places and Spaces grant scheme is now open for applications – to help encourage local communities to create green spaces such as living walls, rain gardens and allotments.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced the £500,000 scheme, which is being administered in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund.
The idea behind the Fund is to help local communities across Northern Ireland to create living places and spaces, which will in turn create healthier environments, support health and wellbeing and play a part in addressing the climate crisis as well.
“The Living Places and Spaces Fund is a very welcome announcement and I would encourage local communities within our borough to have a think about what they could do in their areas and to apply for this funding,” commented the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.
“We all know that over the last 20 months, spending time outside and appreciating nature has had a huge positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing, so this funding can help us to take this one step further. Imagine a local allotment, planting more trees, creating a community garden or the installation of outdoor furniture in already established green areas. This really is a fantastic opportunity that I hope we will all embrace.”
Minister Mallon said, “I meet lots of people who tell me they are very keen to do more to green their local environment. This fund aims to empower local communities to create the living places and spaces they want and in doing so create healthier environments and to also play their part in addressing the climate crisis. This fund is open to all communities across the north. I look forward to seeing what ideas this will generate and the difference it will create in urban and rural areas.”
Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland Director added: “We are delighted to open this programme for applications today, in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure. Groups can apply on our website and small scale capital grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available to support communities to create greener, safer and more sustainable local spaces.”
The Living Places and Spaces Programme closes for applications on Friday 17th December 2021. For full details and to apply visit: www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/living-places-and-spaces
