Funding boost for over 20 facilities in Derry, Strabane and Limavady areas
Over 20 community-based facilities across the north west are to receive a funding boost as part of a £8.32m pot to ‘transform’ facilities across the north.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir have announced £8.32million for 243 buildings, halls and facilities used by community and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland.
Fourteen facilities in the Derry City & Strabane area are to receive awards, with others in County Derry also receiving funding.
In Derry and Strabane, the successful recipients have been confirmed as: (Church of Ireland) St Peter's Parish, Belmont; Churches In Co-operation; Creggan Enterprises Ltd; Culmore Community Partnership Ltd; Eglinton Community Limited; Garvagh and District Community Association; Gasyard Development Trust; Glendermott Cricket Club; Londonderry YMCA Ltd; Newtownstewart LOL 5 (Newtownstewart Orange Hall); North West Play Resource Centre (The Playhouse); Owen Roe O’Neills Gaelic Athletic Club; The Verbal Arts Centre (NI) Ltd; Urney Parish Hall, Church of Ireland and WE Scott Masonic Hall Management Committee.
In Causeway, Coast & Glens, recipients include: Burnfoot Community Development Association; Compass Advocacy Network Ltd; Dervock & District Community Association; Dungiven Presbyterian Church; Dunloy GAC; Glenshane Care Association Ltd; Glór Léim an Mhadaidh Community Development Group; John Mitchels GAC Glenullin; Limavady United Football and Athletic Club; Loughanreagh LOL 909; Loughguile Credit Union; O'Briens Foreglen GAC; Roe Valley Residents Association (RVRA) and the The Corrymeela Community.
The support will be delivered through the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund, announced by Minister Lyons last autumn.
The original funding allocation of £4.32million from the Department for Communities (DfC) has been boosted by an additional £4million contribution jointly by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and DfC.
Making the announcement, Minister Lyons said: “The Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund is an excellent example of two Departments working together to deliver for people in Northern Ireland and will support the vital facilities that are the lifeblood of communities across Northern Ireland.
“I am pleased that we are in a position, with support from my Executive colleague Minister Andrew Muir to issue offers to so many organisations across every local council area. These groups, often run by volunteers, bind their local areas together and deliver real, long-lasting benefits.
“In my role as Communities Minister, I’ve seen first-hand how vital community buildings and local halls are as the beating heart of our cities, towns and villages and I understand the need for long term investment. Indeed, that is what prompted me to establish this fund.
“This significant investment will make a real difference in helping sustain these vital services and further nurture the social connections they provide, and I look forward to seeing it deliver for our communities right across Northern Ireland.”
Minister Muir said: “Community facilities play a vital role in sustaining rural life, providing shared spaces that support social connection, wellbeing, and local services. I am therefore pleased to support additional funding for the current Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund in recognition of the very strong demand from rural groups.
“This contribution reflects my Department’s ongoing commitment to supporting rural communities. I welcome the collaborative working between Departments to deliver this programme and bring tangible benefits to rural communities across Northern Ireland.”
Successful applicants are expected to begin project delivery from May 2026, ‘enabling communities to benefit from improved and modernised facilities’.
Minister Lyons said: “It is clear from the exceptionally high level of interest in this scheme that the NI Community Infrastructure Fund must operate as a longer-term programme. My Department is developing proposals for a future recurring scheme, drawing on the evidence and learning gathered from the current programme and I look forward to announcing this in due course.”