Communities Minister welcomes distribution of heritage funding for local projects

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that 29 heritage projects are to benefit from Covid support funding.

A total of £241,900 in grants will be awarded to the initiatives through the Community Heritage Fund, which was funded by the Department for Communities and distributed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Community Heritage Fund aims to support small-scale projects which help to connect communities to the heritage in their local area.

Minister Hargey said:

“I am delighted to announce that my Department is supporting 29 new projects.

“These small projects will have a big impact in our local communities. They will give a much needed boost to our community based activity and create new heritage content for us all to enjoy.

“The projects will be delivered in various locations including Rathlin Island, East Belfast, Strabane and online. They will deliver new things, inspired by old things – stories, heritage trails, crafts and gardens, and much more. Check out The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s website for more details of projects that are happening near you.”

Grants range from £3,000 to £10,000 and will be administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on the Department’s behalf.

Letters of offer will be issued this week for the 29 projects which are to be delivered before the end of March 2021.

Paul Mullan, Director, Northern Ireland, The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:

“Our local places have become more important than ever throughout this pandemic, and through this fund, we hope to encourage people to get to know the heritage on their doorstep that bit better.

“We’re grateful to the Department for Communities for providing the funding and we’re delighted to fund a diverse range of projects which will make a huge impact on many communities across Northern Ireland.”

The Community Heritage Fund was just one of the funds which was launched by the Department to support the arts, culture, heritage and language sectors impacted by Covid-19.

The funding will be used for a wide range of projects including delivering video storytelling sessions to people with dementia, providing genealogy workshops and developing heritage trails.

Notes to editors: 

1. For a full list of projects or case studies please contact The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Gail Whyte on 07999 114918 or email 
2. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
4.  Follow us on Twitter @CommunitiesNI

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