National Lottery grants awarded in Causeway Coast and Glens as new multi-million pound funding programme announced

The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded over £700,000 to 10 organisations in the Causeway Coast and Glens area in their latest round of funding, helping improve the lives of people of all ages and abilities.  

This includes Aware Defeat Depression which received a £20,000 grant over two years to run peer support groups in Limavady and Coleraine for people affected by depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. The project will improve the mental health and wellbeing of those attending. 

Burnfoot Community Development Association in partnership with Gortnaghey Community Association, was also awarded a £199,984 grant. They are using the funding to run activities in the local areas to strengthen community relationships, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. Over three years the project will train volunteers and work together to run activities across the two centres including a luncheon club, Zumba, crafts, seasonal events, youth club, Lego play sessions and fly fishing.     

Also receiving funding in the local area are Portballintrae Residents Association, The Giving Shed Helping Others, Articlave District Community Association, Ballymoney Evergreen Club, Butterfly Survivors, Compass Advocacy Network Ltd, Feeny Community Association Limited, and Greysteel Community Association. 

These grant awards come as The National Lottery Community Fund announced a new multi-million pound funding programme, ‘Strengthening Communities,’ to support people in greatest need, investing £20 million each year across Northern Ireland. 

Strengthening Communities is different from previous programmes delivered by The Fund, as it will award grants to projects that focus on preventing problems before they arise and prioritise those experiencing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage. It will also support people to fulfil their potential, be more involved in their communities and improve their lives.  

This new programme comes from The Fund’s strategy to 2030, ‘It starts with community,’ and will start by targeting two of its mission areas: help children and young people thrive and enable people to live healthier lives. 

Multi-year grants of up to £500,000 will be available and it will open to applications on Monday 21 October 2024. Organisations applying will be expected to show how their project has made a difference and how they will measure that impact.   

Paul Sweeney, Northern Ireland Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, announcing this new programme, said: “We’re delighted to launch Strengthening Communities, which takes the best of what we’ve done before and builds on our work to make communities stronger, healthier and more inclusive. 

“We want to fund projects, led by communities, that focus on early intervention and building strength – equipping people with the skills, networks and resources to protect them from adverse experiences and break negative cycles. We know that this type of preventative support works best. 

“I want to pay tribute to all the National Lottery funded projects, like these awarded in Causeway Coast and Glens, that continue to step up for communities to support people in need. We look forward to working with them and seeing what can be achieved.” 

This year marks 30 years since the first National Lottery draw in 1994, and thanks to those who play the games and raise £30 million for good causes each week, £786 million has been awarded to communities across Northern Ireland over this time.  

Groups with ideas for funding are encouraged to get in touch to discuss their idea on 028 9055 1455 or email [email protected]. 

For more information on all funding available from The National Lottery Community Fund visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/NorthernIreland.