DAERA Minister MLA has announced grants
totalling £3.1million benefitting an estimated 150,000 rural
dwellers under his Department's Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme
(RMCGS).
Micro Capital grants of between £500 and £2,000 were available to
rural voluntary and community organisations from the Tackling
Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) funded Rural Micro
Capital Grant Scheme for projects tackling issues of local
poverty and/or social isolation or implementing energy efficiency
measures/environmental improvements.
Minister Muir made the announcement at Auld Toon Ulster Scots
Society in Kells where he handed over their grant-aid Letter of
Offer for £1,992, for the purchase of a defibrillator and
six folding tables for use in their hall.
Earlier in the day, the Minister had also handed over a grant-aid
Letter of Offer of £692 to Millisle & District Community
Association, for the purchase of a Sander and a
Thicknesser/Planer for use at their Men's Shed.
Minister Muir said: “This grant aid will help address
locally identified poverty or social isolation issues and is
expected to benefit 150,000 rural dwellers. Small capital grants
have a very positive impact on the voluntary and community
sector.
"It is fitting, at a time when the sector played such a
crucial role in supporting rural communities affected by Storm
Éowyn, that the grant-aid provides support to sustain and, in
many cases, increase the provision of services offered by rural
voluntary and community organisations.
"I am also particularly pleased to note that upwards on
250 Letters of Offer provide support to implement positive
sustainable environmental improvements.”
Minister Muir continued: “I sincerely
thank all the rural community-led organisations across Northern
Ireland for their continued work in providing local services and
building social cohesion in their areas."
The scheme is being delivered by Rural Support Networks on behalf
of DAERA. Speaking at the event in Kells, Breige Conway manager
of Northern Area Community Network (NACN) said: “The DAERA
Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme continues to be a vital source
of support for small voluntary and community organisation in
rural areas. This funding enables them to invest in essential
equipment, strengthening their ability to deliver crucial
services and enhance the well-being of their local communities."
Commenting on the funding to Millisle & District Community
Association, Nicholas McCrickard, manager of County Down Rural
Community Network said: “Micro Grants have had a huge
positive role to play in the lives of rural people all over the
country. Men's Sheds such as this one in Millisle directly impact
on positive mental and physical health, keeping people active in
loads of ways. We thank all the volunteers in Millisle who give
their time selflessly so that others in the community can benefit
from having local services and demand led activities provided
close to their homes. We also thank DAERA for their ongoing
commitment to rural communities.”
Notes to editors:
- The Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme is funded through the
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Tackling
Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme.
- Auld Toon Ulster Scots Society was conceived to provide the
local Kells, Conor and Ferniskey communities with an educational
resource and to promote the Ulster Scots tradition. As well as
providing educational resource through the teaching of Ulster
Scots language, the Society offers teaching and organises events
celebrating the music and heritage of the Ulster Scots tradition.
The Society has been awarded £1,992 for the purchase of
defibrillator and 6 tables. The equipment will enable them to
offer reassurance to those attending their events and to expand
on activities on offer.
- Millisle & District Community Association was established
to improve the quality of life for all residents living in the
Millisle area. MCDA's aims include the advancement of community
development, health, education, the arts, culture and heritage.
Included in the activities MDCA offers is a Men's Shed, offering
varied activities such as baking, chatting and woodwork. A Letter
of Offer offering grant of £692 has issued to Millisle &
District Community Association under the Health and Wellbeing
theme toward the purchase of a Sander and a Thicknesser/Planer to
improve the quality of the members' craftsmanship, increase their
sense of purpose and help improve the village façade.
