# £80 million fund for Northern Ireland

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/11/09/80-million-fund-northern-ireland/
- Published: 2012-11-09T11:30:24+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The new Social Investment Fund (SIF) in Northern Ireland, which will provide £80
million over the next three years, has begun detailed negotiations on how the money
will be spent in local communities.

The Fund is being delivered in partnership with communities across nine social investment
zones. Each zone has a steering group with up to 14 members from the business, political,
statutory and voluntary and community sectors and they will develop and manage plans
for each of the social investment zones.

SIF is focused on supporting communities to:

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 *  increase employment opportunities by addressing things such as educational underachievement,
   lack of skills, access to jobs and making it appealing for businesses to start
   up in areas which have suffered deprivation
     
 *  tackle issues such as mental and physical health, use of drugs and alcohol, 
   becoming young mothers, young people’s involvement in anti-social behaviour and
   the ability of communities to work together which can be associated with deprivation
   
 *  increase services in the community by improving existing facilities, making 
   the environment better and providing additional facilities where needed and possible
   
 *  address dereliction in order to make areas more appealing for investment and
   for those living there

The Steering Groups will co-ordinate the development of the strategic area plan 
for each zone in consultation with the wider community. Over the next four months,
all interested parties are encouraged to get involved in the process within their
zone.

The steering groups for each zone will identify areas which are eligible to seek
funding to take forward projects related to poverty, unemployment, increasing services
and dereliction.

[www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/social-investment-fund](http://www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/social-investment-fund)

 

 

 * **[Up to £30,000 available for local community projects in N Ireland](https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/12/12/30000-available-local-community-projects-n-ireland/)**(
   12 December 2012)
 * **[£300,000 grant package announced for Belfast community events](https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/01/17/300000-grant-package-announced-belfast-community-events/)**(
   17 January 2013)
 * **[More EU funding for Northern Ireland likely](https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/02/01/more-eu-funding-northern-ireland-likely/)**(
   1 February 2013)