£700,000 cash boost for community groups in Mid-Ulster

Community groups are to benefit to the tune of £700,000.

Mid Ulster District Council has earmarked the cash in a grant programme opening next Monday (February 27).

The major investment will provide financial support for a range of activities.

They include sports, arts and culture, and good relations projects.

Grants will be available in 12 categories:

·         Arts and Culture Small Grant

·         Strategic Arts and Culture Development Programme

·         Community Development Small Grant

·         Community Venues Grant

·         Sports Development Small Grant

·         Sports Strategic Development Grant

·         Sports Capital Grant

·         Strategic Community Development Grant

·         Strategic Events Grant

·         Sports Representative Individuals and Teams Grant

·         Community Festivals Grant

·         Good Relations Grant

Applications can be made for grants in the Sports, Community Festivals and Good Relations categories on a rolling basis throughout the year, and there are funding programmes that operate on an open/close basis throughout the year.

Speaking about the investment, the Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Trevor Wilson says the fact that the Council is providing such substantial funding to groups, illustrates the strength and importance of the sector in the district.

“The funding provides a real opportunity for groups to fulfil their goals and do things that were previously only mere aspirations.

 “I urge any groups in the district interested to apply and make those wish-lists become realities,” he says.

This year the application process has been made even simpler with the introduction of the new on-line application.

Groups will be able to complete the entire application process via the Council’s web site by going to www.midulstercouncil.org/grants.

The programme closes on Friday 24 March at 3pm. The on-line grant system will be accessible from that date.