Lyons and Muir announce £4m to transform 243 community facilities across Northern Ireland
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir have announced a further £4m for 243 buildings, halls and facilities used by community and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland.
The support will be delivered through the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund, which was initially announced by Mr Lyons last autumn.
The money will be in addition to the original funding allocation of £4.32m from the Department for Communities (DfC), now boosted by an additional £4m – half coming from each department.
Making the announcement, Mr Lyons said: “The Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund is an excellent example of two departments working together to deliver for people in Northern Ireland and will support the vital facilities that are the lifeblood of communities across Northern Ireland.
“I am pleased that we are in a position, with support from my executive colleague Andrew Muir to issue offers to so many organisations across every local council area. These groups, often run by volunteers, bind their local areas together and deliver real, long-lasting benefits.
“I’ve seen first-hand how vital community buildings and local halls are as the beating heart of our cities, towns and villages and I understand the need for long-term investment.”
Mr Muir added that community facilities play “a vital role” in sustaining rural life, providing shared spaces that support social connection, wellbeing, and local services.
“I am therefore pleased to support additional funding for the current Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund in recognition of the very strong demand from rural groups,” he said.
“This contribution reflects my department’s ongoing commitment to supporting rural communities. I welcome the collaborative working between departments to deliver this programme and bring tangible benefits to rural communities across Northern Ireland.”
Successful applicants will begin project delivery from next month, subject to grant acceptance and compliance with grant conditions.
Mr Lyons said it is clear from the “exceptionally high level of interest” in the scheme that the fund must operate as a longer-term programme.