£2million Local Community Fund

• Local Community Fund

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced a £2million investment programme through the Local Community Fund over the next year. Over 60 targeted areas across 18 District Councils in Northern Ireland will benefit from the fund , which 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. 

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.

For a full list of eligible targeted areas and allocations, visit www.dsdni.gov.uk