Over 60 targeted areas across 18 District Councils in Northern Ireland will benefit from the fund. It will complement the support the Department for Social Development provides through the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy for the top 10% most deprived communities.
Speaking about the commitment to funding, the Minister said: “I am delighted to make this announcement today. This funding will aim to develop greater community capacity and leadership in local areas suffering high levels of disadvantage where community infrastructure is weak.“
Sixteen Intermediary Funding Bodies (IFBs) will be responsible for facilitating local consultation to develop community ideas, identifying appropriate activities to be supported by the Fund and administering the funding process.
Notes to Editors:
- Over 60 targeted areas in 18 Council areas across Northern Ireland will benefit from £2million in 2008/09.
- Sixteen Intermediary Bodies (IFBs) will be responsible for facilitating local consultation to develop community ideas, identifying appropriate activities to be supported by the Fund and administering the funding process.
- The establishment of the Fund provided local people with the opportunity and funding to become involved in identifying and addressing issues and priorities, which have the potential to make a noticeable difference in their local areas.
- The target communities for the Fund are drawn from those Super Output Areas (SOAs) within the 11-20% most deprived communities as defined by Noble 2005.
- Intermediary Funding Bodies (IFBs) will continue to administer and manage the Fund. IFBs will be responsible for facilitating local consultation to develop community ideas, identifying appropriate activities to be supported by the Fund, and administering the funding process. They will work with groups and representatives of local communities in the target areas to identify possible actions within the 5 fund objectives.
- For a full list of eligible targeted areas and allocations go to the Department for Social Development website
- Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned
