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  • Minister announces £1500 Support Payment for Voluntary and Community organisations

    Topics:
    • Funding for the voluntary and community sector

    Date published: 25 March 2025

    Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a £1500 support payment for Voluntary and Community organisations funded through his department’s Voluntary & Community Division and Community Empowerment Division.

    Minister Lyons is pictured with Celine McStravick, Chief Executive of NICVA.

    The Minister said, 

    “I remain acutely aware of the challenges that persist within the voluntary and community sector. Organisations continue to face significant pressures as operating costs continue to increase, at a time when demand for services and support remains high. The groups eligible to benefit from this funding are at the forefront in the delivery of key services across many of our most at-risk communities.”

    The Minister continued 

    “I hope this funding will go some way to help these vital organisations to meet need and ensure that services continue to be delivered in a safe and comfortable environment. I remain committed to ensuring our voluntary and community partners are supported to continue providing vital services across Northern Ireland.”

    Notes to editors:

    1. Photo caption: Minister Lyons is pictured with Celine McStravick, Chief Executive of NICVA
    2. There are approximately 285 Voluntary and Community organisations eligible to benefit from these payments, with the aim of supporting continued delivery of key services across some of our most vulnerable communities. The Department for Communities will contact eligible organisations in the coming days to advise and make necessary arrangements.
    3. The decision to provide this payment will enable most funded organisations to receive payments towards the end of March 2025.
    4. A list of voluntary and community organisations that will benefit will be published on the DfC website following the release of these payments.
    5. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office .
    6. 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.
    7. Follow us on X @CommunitiesNI

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