Nine coastal communities to benefit from funding awards

The Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that £835,000 Coastal Communities Fund support has been awarded to nine projects.

The projects are located along the coast of Northern Ireland, from Limavady in the north west, to Newcastle in the south east. They are projected to create a total of 55 direct jobs and 212 indirect positions, and attract £500,000 in additional investment from public and private sector sources.

The funding includes support for volunteering and employment opportunities for vulnerable persons, parents or families returning to education, the restoration of a tourist attraction, business units creating employment opportunities, and an environmental apprenticeship scheme.

In announcing the awards, Claire Vincent, Acting Director of Marine and Fisheries Division said: “I am delighted to announce this significant support towards the development of our communities along the Northern Ireland coast and which will fund a wide range of projects that have been designed and developed by local people and which will create jobs and improve lives, which is consistent with the Programme’s objective that “coastal communities will experience regeneration and economic growth.

“I congratulate all nine successful applicants in what was a very competitive and heavily subscribed Programme and would wish them every success in the delivery of their projects which will contribute to the creation of 267 jobs in our coastal communities.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) is financed by the UK Government through income generated from the Crown Estate’s marine assets.

2. To date, CCF (Rounds 1-4) has invested £3.3million in 19 projects along the Northern Ireland coastline, with grants ranging from £71,000 to £736,000 to help foster sustainable, economic growth and job creation.  

3. The nine projects supported through these current awards (Round 5) are as follows - (Applicant, Project title and CCF funding awarded) :  

• Roe Valley Enterprises Ltd - Limavady Innovation Hub - £100,000
• SERC - Family Learning Together Hub - £99,373
• Causeway Enterprise Agency Ltd - Immersive Causeway Experience Programme - £85,600
• Whitehead Community Association - King’s Road Regeneration Project - £99,981
• Now Project Ltd T/A Now Group - Loaf Pottery Community Project £93,943
• Kairos Enterprises - ARK Community Gardens - £96,490
• The Conservation Volunteers - Creating Environmental Jobs on the North Coast - £99,042
• Rathlin Island Co-operative - Serving the Community - £60,502
• Ards & North Down Borough Council - Ballywalter Lime Kilns - £100,000

Total CCF funding awarded - £834,931

4. Further details on the scheme can be found on the Department’s website.

5. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook.

6. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or via email. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.

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