Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today announced the successful Challenge Fund schemes receiving £2.2million of Carrier Bag Levy money.

The Challenge Fund has been made possible by the five pence levy collected on carrier bags. It provides vital funding for communities and organisations to develop a number of new and inspiring local environmental projects across Northern Ireland.

One million pounds had initially been set aside. Due to the overwhelming response this was more than doubled. In total, 251 projects have successfully bid for granted funding.

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The successful projects are spread throughout rural and urban Northern Ireland and involve local communities, youth groups, senior citizens and environmental groups. Primary and Secondary Schools, Universities and Colleges will benefit from sixty three different projects.

Challenge Fund examples include:

• renovation of 300 year old Curry’s Cottage in Derrylin for schools and community groups;

• transforming an eight acre site into a care farm in Newcastle for schools and community groups;

• a sensory/nuture garden in St Malachy’s primary school Belfast;

• wasteland transformed to allotments in Donaghmore;

• a 'wild woods' outdoor classroom for nursery children in Derry.

Mr Durkan said: "The Carrier Bag levy is very much the People’s Fund. It is only right therefore that so many people across a wide variety of ages and locations both urban and rural will benefit. This fund has inspired local communities to work together and I have been really impressed by the level of partnership between local businesses, schools, youth groups and residents."

(CD/MH)