In an oral statement made to the Northern Ireland Assembly by Environment Minister Edwin Poots, he announced that 2.9 million will be provided for the delivery 22 Northern Ireland environmental projects.
The Environment Fund 2022/2023 will allow not-for profit organisations and councils the ability to deliver key environmental projects. It will help restore habitats, monitor species, enhance understanding and appreciation of the environment, and improve outdoor recreation with its associated health- and well-being benefits.
Minister Poots said:
I am delighted to announce the funding. This funding comes on top of nearly 19 million already offered to projects in the DAERA. [Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs]The Environment Fund was established in 2019.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic we have all realised the value of getting outside and this money will help us all to enjoy and access sites so that we can continue to benefit from our beautiful, natural environment in Northern Ireland.
The minister continued: I have been to many of these projects, including the work done by the Mourne Heritage Trust, the National Trust in Mourne Mountains, and which are restoring and maintaining many paths networks, supporting visitors on both public and private land, as well as enabling recovery of heathland habitats after last year’s devastating fire.
“The impact of Covid-19 on the finances of environmental organisations means this funding is a great opportunity to support and maintain the work of local organisations and the people in them who are passionate about improving the environment.
Minister Poots stated that he was also happy to announce the launch of the Environmental Challenge Competition for 2022/23, which will be open to strategic environmental projects in support of Nature Recovery and Connecting people with nature. It will launch within the coming weeks.”
Concluding, Minister Poots said:
I want to commend all of those delivering these projects staff, volunteers and contractors – which I hope will inspire all of us to play out part to create a cleaner, greener, accessible and more sustainable environment.
“If we get it right, the benefits to rural and urban people, the environment and the economy will be substantial and will no doubt make Northern Ireland a place where people want to live, work and be active.
