Belfast Council is to give more than £600,000 to charities and businesses to revitalise outdoor spaces across the city.
Belfast based business 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.
Read more: Belfast Council seeking to bring mysterious “unadopted” bridge into public ownership
Sinn Féin Councillor Ryan Murphy, also the 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. It 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 reimagine 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 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.
The scheme opened for applications on November 7 and will close on December 19, 2022. Grants will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis. Previous grant recipients are not eligible to apply.
READ NEXT:
Belfast Council to employ more staff to cope with dual language street sign demand
Belfast Council agrees fuel poverty fund for 5,000 families in city
Belfast Council wants full control zone car ban between UU and Donegall Square
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here
