Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir have announced £8.32million for 243 buildings, halls and facilities used by community and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland.
The support will be delivered through the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund, announced by Minister Lyons last autumn.
The original funding allocation of £4.32million from the Department for Communities (DfC) has been boosted by an additional £4million contribution jointly by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and DfC.
Making the announcement, Minister Lyons said: “The Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund is an excellent example of two Departments working together to deliver for people in Northern Ireland and will support the vital facilities that are the lifeblood of communities across Northern Ireland.
“I am pleased that we are in a position, with support from my Executive colleague Minister Andrew Muir to issue offers to so many organisations across every local council area. These groups, often run by volunteers, bind their local areas together and deliver real, long-lasting benefits.
“In my role as Communities Minister, I’ve seen first-hand how vital community buildings and local halls are as the beating heart of our cities, towns and villages and I understand the need for long term investment. Indeed, that is what prompted me to establish this fund.
“This significant investment will make a real difference in helping sustain these vital services and further nurture the social connections they provide, and I look forward to seeing it deliver for our communities right across Northern Ireland.”
Minister Muir said: “Community facilities play a vital role in sustaining rural life, providing shared spaces that support social connection, wellbeing, and local services. I am therefore pleased to support additional funding for the current Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund in recognition of the very strong demand from rural groups.
“This contribution reflects my Department’s ongoing commitment to supporting rural communities. I welcome the collaborative working between Departments to deliver this programme and bring tangible benefits to rural communities across Northern Ireland.”
Subject to grant acceptance and compliance with grant conditions, successful applicants will begin project delivery from May 2026, enabling communities to benefit from improved and modernised facilities.
Concluding, Minister Lyons said: “It is clear from the exceptionally high level of interest in this scheme that the NI Community Infrastructure Fund must operate as a longer-term programme. My Department is developing proposals for a future recurring scheme, drawing on the evidence and learning gathered from the current programme and I look forward to announcing this in due course.”