The £4.2million Village Catalyst programme has officially launched in Northern Ireland following a successful four-year pilot project.

Led by DAERA and DfC with support from the Architectural Heritage Fund, this initiative is designed to target rural poverty and social isolation and restore and revive historic buildings.

Speaking during a visit to Caledon Woolstore to launch the programme, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots said: "The Village Catalyst pilot from which Caledon Regeneration Partnership benefitted was part-funded through my Department's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRSPI) Programme. The diverse range of projects such as this childcare facility in Caledon demonstrate how local needs can be addressed and ensure that our rural communities thrive and are places people want to live in.

"I'm delighted to be able to announce the launch of the new Village Catalyst programme which will address dereliction and make the most of these historic assets in ways that best benefit the communities in which they are located."

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Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey commented: "I am pleased that my Department has been able to work with DAERA and the Architectural Heritage Fund to develop this innovative approach. I am delighted that we can now jointly commit to a new grant scheme that will also be supported by the Housing Executive and which will maintain a close relationship with the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Partnership is key if we want to realise the full benefit of our heritage to support people, build communities and shape places.  

"The work undertaken at Caledon is a great example of how this can be done. A derelict historic building has been given an exciting new use which will help stimulate community activity and which has already encouraged wider investment in the village. I congratulate all who have worked together so well to deliver this important project."

The four projects funded in the pilot identified core community uses for built heritage at risk, resulting in the development of: community-led affordable housing in a listed bank in Rathfriland; a co-working and well-being hub in the Pat Murphy House in Ederney; a training hotel for young adults with learning difficulties in the Old Post Office, Gracehill led by the local Building Preservation Trust and NOW Group; and a childcare facility in Caledon's 19th century Woolstore, where up to 52 children will be accommodated at any one time, greatly benefiting local families. 

Jim Brady, Chairman of Caledon Regeneration Partnership added: "By locating a childcare facility in an historic building, the project offers an opportunity to bring the building 'back to life' and directly engage children and families in local heritage through a heritage engagement programme continuing to promote and educate residents about the village's history."