Over £600k available in grants to rejuvenate outdoor spaces across Belfast
7th Nov 2022
Belfast based business cluster partnerships, community groups, charities and social enterprises are being given the opportunity to apply for capital grants to enhance their local areas.
Belfast City Council has allocated over £600k to the next phase of its Business cluster and community grant scheme. Capital grants between £10k-£25k will be awarded for environmental improvement projects that will rejuvenate and refresh outdoor spaces.
Councillor Ryan Murphy, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “It’s great to be able to provide additional funding for another round of Business cluster and community grants. Initially, the programme allowed us to give vital support to businesses and communities during the challenges of the pandemic, enabling them to use outdoor space and helping them to operate safely.
“We’ve seen diverse, innovative projects delivered across the city which are very much in line with our Bolder Vision; which is all about creating a more attractive, accessible, safer and more vibrant city with lively, green streets which promote wellbeing and prioritise walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport.
“It’s been impressive to see how people can re-imagine spaces to get the best use out of them and how unused land can be transformed. We’re really keen to see a new round of proposals that will deliver benefits for communities and businesses right across Belfast.”
The Business cluster and community grant scheme first opened in December 2020 providing businesses and communities with the opportunity to avail of funding to deliver physical interventions and streetscape improvements.
£1.1 million was provided to 51 groups and business organisations, facilitating the delivery of a wide range of environmental programmes including community gardens, shop front improvements, lighting schemes and meanwhile uses for gap sites.
Groups and partnerships should visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/funding for more information and email bccgp@belfastcity.gov.uk to request an application form and guidance notes.
The scheme opens for applications on November 7 and will close on December 19, 2022. Grants will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis. Previous Business cluster and community grant recipients are not eligible to apply.
