Environment Minister Mark H Durkan.
A NUMBER of community groups in Derry will share £211,549 from the DOE’s Challenge Fund for environmental projects, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced.
In June, the Minister invited community groups and schools to apply for funding for projects which would give their local environment a boost.
The Challenge Fund still remains open for schools. The closing date for schools to apply is 25 September 2015.
The projects cover every aspect of the environment including community allotments and woodland management in Derry.
Announcing the successful applicants at a scheme in Derry which has benefitted from Challenge Funding, Mr Durkan, said: “It is heart-warming to see so many people in our community coming together to produce innovative schemes to enhance their local environment.
“I commend them for it. It is fitting that 33 community group projects will get a leg up from Government. I pledged that money raised from our 5p levy on carrier bags would be ploughed back into the environment . The Challenge Fund is one way of doing that.
“This project I am visiting today, the Built Heritage Architectural Project, which celebrates and promotes access to our rich architectural heritage in Derry, is a great example of the Challenge Fund at work and will help educate and inform many future generations about Derry’s historic buildings. People from the community, working freely for the benefit of the community. That is what Challenge Fund is all about.”
Referring specifically to funding available for schools, the Minister continued: “It is important that young people in particular have the chance to see their creative ideas for enhancing our environment become reality. Part of the Challenge Fund is allocated only to schools. The closing date for applications from schools is 25 September 2015. I encourage schools to get their entries in if they haven’t already done so.”
The Derry organisations which will benefit:
St Mary’s Youth Club – Derry: £7,000
Introducing communities to outdoor learning – 5.6 hectares of woodland is currently over grown, and is a hub for antisocial behaviour. The project will deliver an orienteering course and improve community access to the site, thereby enabling the local community in their enjoyment and utilisation of this area. Very strong partnerships and volunteer involvement.
Rosemount & District Welfare Rights Group – Derry: £5,000
Growing Together – The project will transform a derelict space into a community garden and allotments that will facilitate all sectors of the local and wider community regardless of age and ability. It will target the most isolated and vulnerable members of the community to encourage participation and inclusion. It will also raise awareness around recycling.
Glenshane Care Association Ltd – Dungiven: £7,990
Glenshane Business Park Beautiful Gardens Project – The project will transform two gardens from dereliction, and will be utilised by disabled adults and the wider community. The work will complement future social enterprise activities and will be conducted by large number of volunteers and partner organisations.
Liberty Consortium – Derry: £8,000
Green Finger’s Allotment – Support for an employee to develop the educational output of the Allotment scheme, designing and delivering a range of workshops to be delivered to the local community.
Enagh Youth Forum – Strathfoyle: £7,000
Steps To Recycling Awareness (STRA) – A small doorstep recycling initiative
Sion Mills Community Forum – Strabane: £7,980
Sion Mills River Restoration and Environmental Education Project – The installation of an interactive interpretive panel, refurbishment of the riverside walkway, installation of new features to attract visitors and to promote access to the natural environment.
Foyle Down Syndrome Trust – Derry: £7,011
Down’s Organic Garden – Engaging 23 teenagers and young adults with Down syndrome in creating their very own organic garden from a derelict site.
North West Red Squirrel Group – Eglinton: £2,551
Conservation Of Red Squirrels In Muff Glen Eglinton – Surveying the area in Eglinton of Muff Glen for red and grey squirrels using trail cameras and trapping of grey squirrels for dispatch. Supplementary feeding for red squirrels in special feeders. Education programme to local public. Volunteers will help with surveying.
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