The funding which has been delivered by the Department’s North West Development Office since 1 April 2007 has helped local organisations provide key services to some of the areas most deprived communities. It is also likely that the figure will exceed £5million by the end of the 2007/08 financial year as there is currently some £500,000 of work in progress.
There are six Neighbourhood Renewal Areas in the North West, four in Derry City and one each in Limavady and Strabane. Each area has attracted significant funding. Some of the organisations that received funding include Shantallow Community Residents Association (£85,788), Ballymagroarty Hazelbank Community Partnership (£208,540), Tullyally and District Development Group (£129,838), Bogside and Brandywell Initiative (£159,340), Limavady Community Development Initiative (£45,324) and Springhill Park Community Development Association (£51,511). In addition, £500,000 was provided towards the costs of a synthetic pitch in St Columb's Park.
Margaret Ritchie said: “It is clear that Neighbourhood Renewal is making a difference to the most disadvantaged communities within the North West. The amount of Neighbourhood Renewal funding invested this year in the North West exceeds previous years. I am committed to ensuring that we build upon this success in the future.”
Notes to Editors:
1. £4.5million has been allocated since 1 April 2007.
2. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy ‘People and Place’ was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. Its objectives include:
- Community Renewal – to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
- Economic Renewal – to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
- Social Renewal – to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
- Physical Renewal – to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
3. Media queries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
