Minister announces support for Ulster-Scots cultural projects

Nelson McCausland, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, has announced support for two significant community based Ulster-Scots cultural projects.

The Minister said: “My aim is to establish pilot projects for two community based Ulster-Scots cultural centres. I have asked the Ulster-Scots Community Network to take the lead in bringing forward proposals for a centre in Belfast. The second will be a rural project in the North Antrim area where the focus will be on working with local communities, through the Conservation and Upgrading of the Rural Heritage measure of the Rural Development programme.

“We have seen, over the years, the development of a province wide infrastructure for the provision of the promotion of the Irish Language and the benefits this has brought to that community. I strongly believe that this shows the benefit of such infrastructure and this is the first step in putting in place a similar network for Ulster-Scots culture. I appreciate that these will be substantial projects but I am committed to seeing them delivered.”

The Minister concluded: “In the current challenging economic climate I see real benefits from investment that will stimulate physical, economic and social regeneration in deprived local communities and empower them, and the wider community, to benefit from our rich and shared cultural heritage.”

Notes to editors:

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