Organisations across Derry city have been reaping the benefits of a special scheme which has been assisting them in the delivery of a wide range of community environmental projects.
Groundwork N. Ireland works in conjunction with Derry City and Strabane District Council to deliver the Greencare North West Landfill Communities Fund Programme, managing landfill tax credits derived from the Council area.
The money which stems from the credits is channeled into a range of carefully selected schemes which regenerate and support the environment. All projects must be local and up to £10,000 can be awarded to individual schemes which are geared towards improving public areas and promoting biodiversity.
This year Liberty Consortium, Creggan Country Park, Bay Road Residents Group, Bogside & Brandywell Initiative, Lough’s Agency and Clooney Residents Association have all been successful in securing funding with the money going towards a diverse range of sustainable environmental projects.
Among the many projects to benefit to date are Clooney Estate Residents Association, who have been allocated £10,000 to deliver the Clooney Community Growing Space project.
The association has created community allotments on a green space within the estate which was previously used as a bonfire site, turning it into a valuable shared space for the entire community.
Additionally, the group hopes to provide educational workshops at the community centre promoting local biodiversity.
The Loughs Agency have also benefitted from £10,000 which will be channeled into the Foyle Wetlands Centre, while almost £10,000 donated to the Bogside and Brandywell Initiative will go towards the creation of the Ballymagowan Environmental HUB.
Photo shows Mayor, Cllr Elisha McCallion, with representatives from local community groups who have benefitted from funding from the Greencare North West Landfill Communities Fund Programme. Included (from left) are Kevin Campbell (Bogside & Brandywell Initiative), Betty O’Reilly (Clooney Estates Residents Association), Mel Waddell (GWNI), Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, Anne-Marie Donnelly (Liberty Consortium), Karen Healy (Creggan County Park & Bay Road Park Steering Group), William Burke (Loughs Agency).
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