Minister announces funding to the Community Foundation Northern Ireland Coronavirus Community Support Fund
Date published:
DAERA Minister, Edwin Poots MLA today announced that he will provide £200,000 towards the ‘Coronavirus Community Fund’.
The Community Foundation NI fund, which opened on Monday 16 March 2020, is being used to support people and communities address issues emerging from coronavirus. Grants of £1,000 are available however, CFNI will consider applications for up to £10,000 of emergency funding to community organisations to help them to deliver locally identified practical support around emerging issues relating to the virus.
Minister Poots commented, “Our communities are currently facing a threat like no other and there are those, particularly in rural areas, who feel vulnerable and isolated.
"I am pleased to support the Coronavirus Community Fund with a contribution of £200,000 to Community Foundation for NI from my Department to help the delivery of much needed and targeted support to the Community and Voluntary sector. In addition, DAERA will work with DfC to fund applications for eligible activity from organisations that CFNI are unable to support including Faith Based organisations."
The Fund priorities are isolated older people (aged over 50); as well as those people of all ages who are at increased risk, particularly in relation to poor mental health and wellbeing; and vulnerable isolated people and families, particularly those living in rural areas.
Minister Poots concluded: “This Coronavirus Community Fund will help to ease pressure for some of our most vulnerable and isolated citizens and therefore I would encourage rural community organisations to visit the Community Foundation NI website for further information.”
Further information available at Community Foundation NI
Notes to editors:
- DAERA through its Rural Affairs Division (RAD) plays a significant role in sustaining a vibrant rural economy and working across government it has developed and implemented measures to ensure that the economic and social needs of rural dwellers are met. The tools that DAERA use to achieve this are the NI Rural Development Programme and the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme.
- This subvention to CFNI is a further enhancement to this work at a time of significant need and crisis in rural areas because of the Coronavirus.
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.
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