MINISTERS BELFAST HARBOUR COMMUNITY AWARDS OFFERS £50K FUND TO SUPPORT PROJECTS ACROSS NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Harbour has announced that applications for the latest round of its Community Awards are open, with £50,000 being made available to support community groups across the region.
The awards – which are open to applicants twice a year – are part of Belfast Harbour’s ongoing commitment to being a socially responsible port through building partnerships with organisations that support communities, the environment and the development of employability and skills.
A total of £100,000 is being made available to charities, volunteering groups and grass-roots community organisations in 2024, with £50,000 having already been distributed in the first round of awards earlier this year.
Community organisations, charities and not-for-profit groups registered in NI, can receive individual grants of up to £5,000.
Successful recipients of the last funding round cover a wide range of projects, including a community wildlife garden, a bike repair scheme for ex-offenders, and an indoor bowls club, all of which share the common theme of positively impacting their local communities.
Jenni Barkley, Community Engagement Manager at Belfast Harbour, said: “Now in their fourth year, the Belfast Harbour Community Awards are an integral part of our commitment to being a socially responsible port. As a Trust Port, we are focused on making a difference and so we are proud to be able to provide local organisations with £50,000 in grants to support initiatives that positively impact their communities.
“As we open applications for the Community Awards once again, we look forward to supporting future projects which help a range of diverse causes including sustainability, helping local people to develop employability skills and bettering our community.”
Not-for-profit arts organisation Belfast Exposed, which was one of the successful applicants in the most recent round of funding, is using the money it received to deliver a photography programme for children and young people with low academic achievement to learn new skills in photography.
Mervyn Smyth, Community Engagement Manager at Belfast Exposed, said: “Our aim is to make photography accessible for everyone. The funding received from the Belfast Harbour Community Awards has enabled us to deliver ‘The Young Futures Programme’, which offers an opportunity for children and young people with low academic achievement to learn new skills in photography, post-production, and researching, through a relaxed method in a setting where they feel comfortable.
“The application process is very straightforward, and the team are on hand to answer any queries you might have, so we would encourage others to share their ideas and apply for these fantastic awards.”
Applications for the Belfast Harbour Community Awards open on the 13th September and will close on the 4th October. To find out more, visit: https://www.belfast-harbour.co.uk/community/community-awards/ .
