Local communities across Northern Ireland are being urged to create green spaces thanks to a new grant scheme.

The Living Places and Spaces grant scheme, which is now open for applications, gives residents the chance to create local green spaces like living walls, rain gardens and allotments. 

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is providing £500,000 from her Blue Green Infrastructure fund for the Living Places and Spaces grant scheme.

Announcing the opening of the scheme, Minister Mallon said: "I meet lots of people who tell me they are very keen to do more to green their local environment. The last two years has made us appreciate our local places and spaces more and has allowed us to think about improvements which will benefit the world around us and our health and well-being. This fund aims to empower local communities to create the living places and spaces they want and in doing so create healthier environments and to also play their part in addressing the climate crisis. This fund is open to all communities across the north. I look forward to seeing what ideas this will generate and the difference it will create in urban and rural areas."

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The fund is being administered in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund.

Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland Director added: "We are delighted to open this programme for applications today, in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure. Groups can apply on our website and small scale capital grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available to support communities to create greener, safer and more sustainable local spaces."

The Living Places and Spaces Programme closes for applications on Friday 17 December 2021. Find our more or apply here.