Application forms are now available to download for the Co-Ownership 2019/20 Community Fund. This £15,000 fund is open to community groups and organisations in the Ballymena area to continue their work or to support the finance of a new project within their community. The press release issued on behalf of Co-Ownership states –
Co-Ownership 2019 Community Fund
Community groups in the Ballymena area with a social, educational or environmental focus are being encouraged to apply for a share of the 2019/20 Co-Ownership Community Fund.
The £15,000 fund, which has increased this year by an extra £5,000, is open to local organisations and partnerships to either support their continued community work or to finance a new project.
Gillian Hughes, Head of Governance at Co-Ownership, said the larger fund reflects the scale of the impactful work undertaken by groups and organisations across Northern Ireland and the importance of supporting their efforts.
“At Co-Ownership we support people into home ownership and into communities. But our work doesn’t end there,” she said. “Year after year, through the awarding of our Community Fund, we see first-hand the real impact community groups, partnerships and voluntary organisations are making on the ground in their communities. This year, to support this vital work even further, we’ve increased the fund so that the meaningful work being undertaken, which is positively impacting the lives of many in communities across Northern Ireland, can continue.”
The total value of the fund can be awarded to one or multiple organisations.
Gillian continues: “This is part of our ongoing commitment to responsible business. Through the Community Fund we hope to further increase our societal impact in the communities where our customers live.”
Street Soccer NI benefited from the 2018/19 Community Fund
Mark Graham, Chief Executive at Co-Ownership, pictured with Catrina Sheehan and Gavin Martin from Street Soccer NI, the organisation that was awarded the Community Fund last year.
In 2018/19, Co-Ownership awarded the fund to Street Soccer NI, the Belfast-based football project set up to support disadvantaged men and women.
The football project supports some of the most vulnerable groups in Northern Ireland including homeless people, people with drug and alcohol dependency, mental health issues, ex-prisoners, refugees, asylum seekers and the long-term unemployed.
The fund was used in the implementation of a Homeless World Cup development project which will enable Street Soccer NI to roll out a programme of training and support initiatives in the run up to and after the tournament which took place in Mexico City in November 2018.
Justin McMinn, Manager and Co-Founder of Street Soccer Northern Ireland, said: “This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity for all the players; a chance to represent their country in an amazing place like Mexico. We’ve already witnessed the positive impact of the trip with many of the players finding secure housing, gaining employment and learning new skills through coaching qualifications on their return. Players are now filled with confidence and motivation and believe they can now achieve anything.”
Download the application form to apply for the Co-Ownership 2019/20 Community Fund
This £15,000 fund is open to community groups and organisations in the Ballymena area. To apply for the 2019/20 Community Fund please download the application form from the Co-Ownership website here and return it (either via email or post) by Friday 28th June 2019 at 5pm.
For more information on the Co-Ownership Community Fund, including its terms and conditions, visit co-ownership.org.
