Lyons announces £1.97m Local Growth Fund boost for Community Infrastructure Fund
Date published:
Communities across Northern Ireland are set to benefit from a further £1.97million investment in the Community Infrastructure Fund, bringing the programme’s total funding to £10.29million.
The additional investment has been secured through the Local Growth Fund. It will allow up to 68 further community infrastructure projects to be supported, helping local organisations improve the facilities from which they serve their communities.
Announcing the funding, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said:
“I am pleased to announce a further £1.97million for the Community Infrastructure Fund. This will enable us to extend support to more organisations and help them make practical improvements to the buildings at the heart of their communities.
"Community organisations provide valued services, create opportunities and bring people together. By investing in the places from which they operate, we are helping them continue that work in facilities that are safer, more accessible and better able to meet local needs.”
Subject to grant acceptance and compliance with grant conditions, successful projects are expected to begin delivery during autumn 2026.
Concluding, Minister Lyons said:
“The strong demand for funding demonstrates the need for a longer-term approach to supporting community facilities across Northern Ireland.
“My Department is continuing to develop proposals for a future recurring programme of support, informed by the evidence and learning from the current fund. I look forward to announcing further details in due course."
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured at Atlas Women’s Centre, which is being supported through the NI Community Infrastructure Fund.
- The list of projects is at: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/publications/northern-ireland-community-infrastructure-fund-stage-two-application-outcomes
- The Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund provides capital grant funding for the refurbishment and improvement of existing community buildings. The fund supports essential works to help organisations to improve their community buildings through the completion of repairs, small scale refurbishments, accessibility improvements and energy efficiency upgrades.
- The programme has a total value of £10.29million. This comprises £6.32million from the Department for Communities, £2million from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and an additional £1.97million allocated through the Local Growth Fund.
- Applications were assessed in line with published criteria, with Co‑operation Ireland delivering the administration and assessment process.