25/09/2002

New drive for access to lottery funding launched

Community groups from across Northern Ireland have been encouraged to make use of lottery funding as part of the newly launched 'Fair Share' scheme.

The UK-wide programme is designed to target initiatives within communities which have so far received less than their fair share of proceeds from the National Lottery. And at the north's launch of ‘Fair Share’ at Tullycarnet Community Centre, Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey urged bidders from designated ward areas in Northern Ireland to submit their applications.

“There are still some areas where people have not taken advantage of the availability of this funding and the government wants to see everyone benefit from it. This new programme is designed to help by targeting those disadvantaged communities that have not received their fair share of proceeds from the National Lottery," he said.

“I would urge community leaders, local groups and organisations wishing to run innovative projects to improve the quality of life in these designated areas to apply for assistance. The benefits of the lottery should be enjoyed by everyone in society.”

The Minister was welcomed to Tullycarnet Community Centre by Professor Breidge Gadd, a Northern Ireland Board member of the New Opportunities Fund, and by Professor Jimmy Kearney, the Chair of the Community Fund’s Northern Ireland Committee.

Northern Ireland has seen great benefit from lottery grants, and the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund have set aside over £2.5 million of their resources during the next three years for the purpose of encouraging more bids from eligible groups.

These two distributors of National Lottery funding have already committed more than £150 million to eligible projects across the province and almost two thirds of these grants have been awarded to many of the most disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland.

More information about ‘Fair Share’, and a list of the wards being targeted for awards, can be obtained by contacting the programme’s operators at 3rd floor, 24 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BG, Tel: 028 9034 7500.

(GMcG)

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