Newry, Mourne and Down: COVID Transition Fund

Overview

Objectives

The fund seeks to encourage local community-based organisations, either individually or in collaboration with other similar local organisations to address local issues through innovative and appropriate local solutions. Priority areas for the fund include:

❖ Food poverty - access to food (whether due to cost or availability) for those most in need.

❖ Financial hardship - for those on low income and at risk due to financial stress.

❖ Connectivity challenges - for those living alone or in rural and border areas that are likely to experience greater challenges in accessing services.

❖ Support for those identified as “Vulnerable Groups” under Public Health Agency guidance.

It should be noted that applications addressing other issues than the above, arising from the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, will also be welcomed for consideration. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Transition Fund applications will be assessed and scored against the fund criteria. Organisations must clearly demonstrate on their application form how they can support one or more of the following groups and outline the service they will deliver:

❖ Older People (aged 70 and over).

❖ Isolation, loneliness, well-being and mental health.

❖ Homeless people.

❖ People experiencing food poverty.

❖ People experiencing financial hardship.

❖ People experiencing connectivity challenges.

❖ Young people up to 26 years old.

❖ Those most vulnerable as advised by Public Health Agency (PHA). A full list of which can be found on their website https://www.publichealth.hscni.net.

All project activity MUST be completed by 31st March 2022.

Eligible expenditure

The fund will only support activities related to the challenges emerging from the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

The following activities will be a priority for this grant programme:

❖ Provision of direct and immediate practical support for vulnerable individuals and families.

❖ Initiatives that promote a sense of well-being in a time of isolation, whilst following the Public Health Agency (PHA) guidelines.

❖ Initiatives that directly support the most vulnerable and address a number of impacts such as, isolation, food delivery, financial hardship and connectivity.

❖ Project materials and operating costs for organisations will be supported, including project related staff costs, volunteer expenses and transport costs. Equipment costs are also eligible, providing the items of equipment are directly linked to the project being proposed and relate to supporting individuals and groups impacted by COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

❖ Funding will only be available to groups based in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area who meet the above criteria or where the beneficiaries are from the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.