Belfast City Council has shortlisted 21 projects for its new £10 million Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund.

This Fund will help groups deliver capital projects in their communities which help develop neighbourhood tourism, improve environmental sustainability and support the city's social economy.

Project proposals that have made it to stage two of a three-stage process include artist studios, heritage centres, museum and exhibition spaces, hotels, enterprise units, projects to restore listed buildings and a water activity hub with a floating pontoon and footbridge on the River Lagan.

Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown, Chair of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "This fund is going to make a huge difference to people in neighbourhoods across the city. I am really excited by the variety and ambition of the projects that have made it to this stage of the process.

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"The standard of the applications that we received was extremely high, so narrowing these down to the current shortlist has proven to be quite a difficult task. We want to maximise the impact of our funding, so applicants were required to demonstrate how their project will contribute to the wider tourism, environmental and social economy objectives of the fund's themes.

"The projects that have progressed to this stage are the ones that we feel will have the greatest impact. They include lots of exciting new ideas, as well as proposals to enhance existing facilities, restore listed buildings for tourism use, upgrade community premises, develop new visitor experiences and provide much-needed studio space for artists. I look forward to seeing which of these projects make it through to the third and final phase next year after which funding will be agreed, and delivery begins."

Over the next few months, applicants will work with council officers to develop their proposals further. At the end of this phase, councillors will consider the projects again and determine which will move forward to the delivery stage.