Lisburn and Castlereagh City (LCCC) Council has opened the third round of its Community Facilities Fund.

This fund aims to improve, upgrade or refurbish community facilities to offer activities and services to increase community engagement across the area.

A total of £60,000 will be available for each of the seven District Electoral Areas across Lisburn and Castlereagh. As an integral component of the council's Local Investment Programme for 2024/25, this funding opportunity is open to local community and voluntary organisations. This year the total fund represents an increase of £5,000 per application.

Organisations are eligible to seek funding ranging from £5,000 to £15,000 to aid in minor capital projects, repairs, and/or the adoption of digital solutions for their community facilities. However, groups that received funding from this program in 2021 and 2023 are ineligible to apply.

-- Advertisement --

Councillor Thomas Beckett, Communities & Wellbeing Committee Chairman, said: "This fund is further evidence of our commitment to local communities and the improvement of their facilities. In line with the principles of the Local Investment Programme 2024/25, we have a desire to support community engagement and build capacity across the sector. We are particularly placing an emphasis on those groups who have not previously applied or been successful in achieving this funding for their facilities to ensure balanced investment right across the council area.”

"If you are interested please attend one of the information sessions which have been organised to obtain a better understanding of the requirements of this scheme and how it could benefit your local area. This truly is a fantastic opportunity to receive funding for your premises and reap the rewards in terms of the additional benefits it can bring to existing and new users.

"Through this funding programme, local groups can improve income opportunities, make changes to the facility use and/or make the facility more accessible and inclusive to further engage the local community which will broaden opportunities for community engagement."

The following workshops have been organised:

• Wednesday 17th April, Lagan View Enterprise Centre at 11am

• Thursday 18th April, Enler Community Centre at 7pm

• Tuesday 23rd April, Teams at 7pm

Applications close at 1pm on Tuesday 7 May 2024.