Lottery grants helping to improve Mid Ulster community buildings

THE National Lottery Community Fund has launched a £5 million programme to help community organisations make their buildings more energy efficient and save money on bills.

The Sustainable Community Buildings programme is offering grants of up to £50,000 to help organisations carry out improvements to their venues by installing technology like solar panels, insulation and heat pumps, saving money on energy bills.

It opens for applications across the Mid Ulster District Council area – which covers Clogher Valley, Dungannon and Cookstown, as well as parts of Co Derry – from Wednesday, February 7 to Wednesday, March 20.

SOLAR PANELS

Some community groups, like the Tobin Centre in Moortown, outside Cookstown, have already taken steps to be environmentally sustainable and saved money through things like improved insulation and solar panels.

The centre, which provides activities and support for people in the Mid Ulster area, had solar panels installed last year thanks to a National Lottery grant.

Loretta Daly, Programme Manager, for The BASE @ Tobin, said, “At a time when running costs are high, the focus for a lot of community groups is to cover their day-to-day costs and keep their doors open – quite often, they don’t have the money to invest in the future. So, this funding to help groups become more sustainable will be really beneficial.

“Energy costs have risen per unit and our centre has been busier the past year with more activities taking place, so it is hard to put a number on the savings we’ve made so far, but we are really pleased that we got the solar panels installed when we did.

“It has allowed us to feel more secure about the future of the centre, knowing that we are generating our own energy and improving our environmental sustainability.

“It has also been a catalyst for us to look at other ways to reduce our carbon footprint and led to us gaining other funding.”

Organisations that apply to the programme will also take part in vital free carbon literacy training delivered by Business in the Community, which will help them to look at ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

KICKSTART

Kate Beggs, the National Lottery Community Fund’s NI Director, said, “Sustainable Community Buildings is designed to kickstart an organisation’s journey to sustainability.

“It is the first step in our ambition under our new strategy to support communities to be environmentally sustainable.

“The programme will help organisations to improve the environmental performance of their building, save money through lower utility bills and reduce their carbon footprint. We believe this will also leave a legacy by increasing awareness and educating community organisations about the environmental challenges they face.”

The Sustainable Community Buildings programme, which is distributing money raised thanks to National Lottery players, will open for applications in stages across Northern Ireland. Information sessions will also be held for potential applicants.

For more information visit The National Lottery Community Fund’s website or contact enquiries on (028) 90551455.