Modernisation Fund Info Roadshow Dates

The Fund was announced by Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to help the voluntary & community sector to modernise and prepare itself for the future. The grants available will range from £20,000 to £1.5 million and are designed to provide equipment and improve facilities.

Key objectives of the fund include activities which improve:

• Partnership and collaboration;
• Income generation and / or cost reduction;
• Improved access to services [especially for people with a disability];
• Good relations within and / or between communities;
• The delivery of services and facilities in support of disadvantaged children and young people (0-24 years).

Funding streams:

• Pilot Infrastructure Scheme [allocation £9 million] - supporting applications with a grant value of between £300,000 and £1.5 million per project.
• Community Facilities Improvement Scheme [allocation £3 million] - to improve facilities to allow better service delivery and access to services.
• Small Capital Grants Scheme [allocation £3 million] - to undertake minor works and / or purchase assets in order to improve their ability to deliver a better service to the community. Individual project value between £20,000 and £100,000.

The programme will be open to applications until mid October.

4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.

Information Days:

For further information contact DSD Voluntary and Community Unit on tel: 028 9082 9440 or email: colette.mccluskey@dsdni.gov.uk

www.dsdni.gov.uk