Financial boost for local groups

Community-based groups in Banbridge which are making a positive difference to society are being encouraged to access a new £1 million fund.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th May 2017, 09:51 BST
Updated 4th Jun 2017, 21:35 BST

The ‘Building Better Futures’ fund will help charities, community and voluntary groups, and social enterprises by providing small, unsecured loans that are not currently available from traditional financial sources.

The scheme is being funded by the Building Change Trust, Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) and Belfast Charitable Society, one of Northern Ireland’s oldest charitable organisations.

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Nigel McKinney, Director of Operations at the Building Change Trust, said: “We’ve known for some time there has been demand from the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector for small, simple, unsecured lending.

“This collaboration shows what is possible when the focus is on meeting the needs of the sector and we’re excited to see the work that will be done using this form of social finance.”

The joint Fund, managed by UCIT, one of the UK’s largest specialists in social finance, will provide access to flexible finance and encourage organisations to place financial management at the centre of their operations.

Damian McAteer, UCIT’s Vice Chair, added: “UCIT is delighted to further extend its reach by partnering with the Building Change Trust and Belfast Charitable Society to help us meet much needed demand for smaller unsecured loans from within the third sector.

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“The Fund represents a significant investment from within the sector by organisations that value community activity and social enterprise in all its diversity across Northern Ireland.

“This partnership is a positive move for the sector and we hope that it will encourage similar collaborations or even new investors for the fund.”

Building Better Futures provides unsecured loans of between £1,000 and £25,000 to help groups become more financially sustainable.

The loans can be used for a wide range of purposes, including buildings and repairs, equipment purchase, making facilities more energy efficient or funding shortfalls in larger grant assisted projects.

Further information about the scheme is available by contacting UCIT on 028 9031 5003 or visiting www.ucitltd.com

Related topics:CommunityBanbridgeNorthern Ireland