£3.1m In Grants Awarded To Rural Community Groups

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA has announced £3.1 million in grants under the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS). The funding will benefit an estimated 150,000 people living in rural areas.

The grants, ranging from £500 to £2,000, are available to rural voluntary and community organisations through the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) fund. Projects eligible for funding address local poverty, social isolation, or implement energy efficiency and environmental improvements.

Minister Muir made the announcement while visiting Auld Toon Ulster Scots Society in Kells and Millisle & District Community Association, where he presented grant-aid Letters of Offer.

"This grant aid will help address locally identified poverty or social isolation issues and is expected to benefit 150,000 rural dwellers," said Minister Muir. "Small capital grants have a very positive impact on the voluntary and community sector." He added: "It is fitting, at a time when the sector played such a crucial role in supporting rural communities affected by Storm Éowyn, that the grant-aid provides support to sustain and, in many cases, increase the provision of services offered by rural voluntary and community organisations. I am also particularly pleased to note that upwards on 250 Letters of Offer provide support to implement positive sustainable environmental improvements."

The scheme is administered by Rural Support Networks on behalf of DAERA. Breige Conway, manager of Northern Area Community Network (NACN), said the scheme is "a vital source of support for small voluntary and community organisation in rural areas."

Nicholas McCrickard, manager of County Down Rural Community Network, commented on the funding to Millisle & District Community Association, stated: "Micro Grants have had a huge positive role to play in the lives of rural people all over the country."

He added: "We thank all the volunteers in Millisle who give their time selflessly so that others in the community can benefit from having local services and demand led activities provided close to their homes. We also thank DAERA for their ongoing commitment to rural communities."