Special fund to assist local community organisations

The grants will be administered by the Community Foundation’s Acorn Fund who are currently delivering the NI-wide grant scheme for COVID19 response. The money is part of a £280,000 Resilience Programme package announced by Derry City and Strabane District Council last week.

The localised fund will provide an additional £50,000 of funding to constituted community organisations throughout Derry and Strabane who wish to apply for £1,000 - £2,500 to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic. The NI wide Coronavirus Community Fund will continue to provide access to grants of £5,000- £10,000 through the same funding application.

Applicants from the Derry and Strabane area are required to complete the generic NI wide application form for access to the monies.

Mayor Michaela Boyle urged local groups to avail of the support. “I am delighted to see this financial support being administered so quickly as pressure on these community networks continues to grow,” she said.

“I am aware of so many initiatives across both rural and urban areas that have already been rolled out to tackle need, their resources are limited and many are relying on the support of volunteers and the public.

“This community fund will allow them to extend their services, and continue to reach out to those who need it most.”

Acorn Fund Development and Support worker Shauna Kelpie, said efforts would focus on the swift delivery of support to sustain community resilience efforts.

She said: “These groups have already created an extensive network on the ground, delivering food, medicine and care to the most vulnerable who are isolated and in need. We want to build on these efforts and allow these groups to do what they do best – protecting their local communities.”

Any group who wishes to find out more or submit an application for the fund can go to www.communityfoundationni.org/grants/coronavirus-community-fund/