31/07/2003

£2m lottery windfall for disadvantaged communities

More than £2 million of lottery funding is set to transform some of Northern Ireland’s most disadvantaged communities.

Announcing today's windfall, the New Opportunities Fund's 'Transforming your Space' programme confirmed the money would help pioneer projects that aim to improve local streets and parks and help communities become safer, greener, cleaner and healthier places.

Innovative projects that have secured lottery cash under this programme include schemes to transform green spaces in urban areas, plans to create wildlife habitats and to recruit environmental champions to encourage people to enjoy their local woodland.

Commenting on the funding, Northern Ireland board member, Breidge Gadd, said: “This innovative programme will help some of the most disadvantaged areas of Northern Ireland improve the quality of their environment by transforming public and green spaces that are important to local people.

“I am delighted that we have funded projects that support local and regional policies while working in partnership with a wide range of organisations including local communities. These projects will make a real contribution to the transformation of local space because they have had the active involvement of local communities.”

Fourteen projects across Northern Ireland including Carrickfergus, Downpatrick, Belfast, Tyrone, Londonderry, Fermanagh and Strabane have been awarded the grants totalling around £2.1 million.

(MB)

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