Bands and cultural groups urged to apply for £3m in grants

The minister announced a new £850k Ulster-Scots Covid-19 Resilience Fund today for concert and marching bands and other cultural organisations while earlier in the week she unveiled another £2m fund for a wide range of community groups. Both funds aim to address pressures on the community brought about by Covid 19.

Minister Ní Chuilín tweeted the opening of the Ulster-Scots Covid-19 Resilience Fund today which was warmly welcomed by Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart. She noted that she and other DUP MPs and MLAs had raised the plight of concert and marching bands with the minister several weeks ago, highlighting the devastating impact coronavirus has had on their activities and their ability to fundraise to meet costs.

“I encourage those with an Ulster Scots ethos to study the criteria to establish if they are eligible,” she said. “The money can go towards meeting already committed expenditure like insurance costs, and also some other capital measures that can assist groups to meet safely.”

The MP said applications are now open and can be accessed via an online process at http://ulsterscotsagency.com/community-projects/apply-for-funding/

Minister Chuilín also announced a further £2m fund this week, which she said was for community based culture, arts and heritage projects.

The Community Arts, Culture and Heritage Fund will be distributed by the Community Foundation NI and will prioritise projects which support people with disabilities and those who are vulnerable, she said.

The fund is open to all community organisations which can deliver new projects. Any constituted organisation can apply and their primary purpose need not be related to arts or heritage, her department said.

DUP MP Paul Girvan has encouraged bands, Orange Lodges, historical and cultural groups to apply.

“The Loyal Orders, band community and cultural sector in South Antrim played a leading role in our community response to COVID-19,” he said. “I have been working hard to ensure Government steps up and provides funding to these organisations that have been a force for good and positive community development in South Antrim.” Groups can apply for up to £20,000 for projects up to March 2021, he added.

See: https://communityfoundationni.org/grants/the-arts-culture-and-heritage-challenge-fund/

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