£2.2m Carrier Bag Levy To Fund Community Projects

£2.2m of carrier bag levy money is to be spent on funding for communities and organisations to develop environmental projects across Northern Ireland.

Some £1m had initially been set aside; however due to the "overwhelming response" the figure has more than doubled.

In total, 251 projects have successfully bid for granted funding.

Successful 'Challenge Fund' schemes to benefit from the funds include:

• renovation of 300 year old Curry's Cottage in Derrylin for schools and community groups
• transforming an eight acre site into a care farm in Newcastle for schools and community groups
• a sensory/nuture garden in St Malachy's primary school Belfast
• wasteland transformed to allotments in Donaghmore
• a 'wild woods' outdoor classroom for nursery children in Derry.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: "The Carrier Bag levy is very much the People's Fund. It is only right therefore that so many people across a wide variety of ages and locations both urban and rural will benefit. This fund has inspired local communities to work together and I have been really impressed by the level of partnership between local businesses, schools, youth groups and residents."

Welcoming the announcement, Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill, who allocated £200,000 funding from the Forestry Service, said: "I am delighted that applications to the forest service stream of the challenge fund will ensure full uptake of the £200,000 I made available for forest based community led projects. I look forward to seeing the selected projects come to fruition."

(IT/JP)