14/10/2025
Funding Boost For Community Wealth Building Pilots
The Community Wealth Building (CWB) partnerships in Larne and the North West are each to receive a funding package of £150,000 to pilot community-led economic and social development initiatives.
The total investment of £300,000 is jointly funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Department for Communities (DfC), reflecting a shared government commitment to inclusive growth and empowering local communities.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald endorsed the CWB model, stating she is "keen to support" its potential to create a more regionally balanced economy. The Minister noted that CWB "empowers local people to benefit from locally-owned assets" and that the pilots in Derry (North West) and Larne will help "test and refine this inclusive approach to economic development."
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons expressed pride in supporting the partnerships, highlighting that these areas have demonstrated strong local leadership in turning the CWB concept into "practical action which can help tackle poverty and improve social outcomes." He emphasised that the funding will deliver "targeted initiatives shaped by the needs and ambitions of local people."
The two pilots will explore innovative, place-based approaches to economic development. Their core focus will be on:
1. Building local capacity.
2. Strengthening community assets.
3. Ensuring that wealth generated within communities is retained and reinvested locally.
Further details on the specific plans for the Larne and North West initiatives are expected to be announced by the partnerships in the coming weeks.
The total investment of £300,000 is jointly funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Department for Communities (DfC), reflecting a shared government commitment to inclusive growth and empowering local communities.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald endorsed the CWB model, stating she is "keen to support" its potential to create a more regionally balanced economy. The Minister noted that CWB "empowers local people to benefit from locally-owned assets" and that the pilots in Derry (North West) and Larne will help "test and refine this inclusive approach to economic development."
The two pilots will explore innovative, place-based approaches to economic development. Their core focus will be on:
1. Building local capacity.
2. Strengthening community assets.
3. Ensuring that wealth generated within communities is retained and reinvested locally.
Further details on the specific plans for the Larne and North West initiatives are expected to be announced by the partnerships in the coming weeks.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.