Ritchie secures funding for North West employment projects

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie today announced match funding for five organisations in Derry to secure much needed employment in the area.

During her visit to the North West the Minister made the funding announcement for five projects under the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2007-2013.

Speaking about her contribution towards these projects, Minister Ritchie said: “I welcome the opportunity to support these very worthwhile projects. Their collective aim of reducing economic inactivity and increasing workforce skills is a welcome boost to the people in the North West.”

“I want to target resources in a way which has maximum impact and I want to work with communities to achieve that. These organisations at the heart of the community will offer invaluable services to local people most affected by the economic downturn at present.”

The main aims of the programme are to tackle unemployment and get people back into work. All five project recipients will offer a wide range of services primarily directed at helping people regain employment.

Margaret Ritchie went on to say: “This is a major investment in Neighbourhood Renewal areas where there are higher than average rates of unemployment. Alongside making financial help available, I want to promote the values of self reliance and social responsibility and today’s funding announcement will help that happen for these local communities.”

In total, £850,000 has been provided through the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund, bringing the total investment to almost £5million for the North West.

Notes to Editors:

1. All projects have secured funding under the Northern Ireland European Social Fund (ESF) Programme. The aim of the programme is to reduce economic inactivity and increase workforce skills.
2. The projects receiving the funding are TRIAX, Derry Local Strategy Partnership, CRESCO Trust, Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership and the North West Centre for Learning and Development.
3. Each project has received 40% funding from the European Union supplemented by 25% central funding from the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL). A condition of the programme is that successful applicants must secure the remaining 35% of the total project costs as match funding.
4. Media Enquiries to DSD Information office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.