DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has visited Ballylone Rural Development Association, a rural group that has secured funding through the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund (NICIF).

Delivered by the Department for Communities (DfC) with support from DAERA, the fund provides capital grants aimed at assisting community and voluntary bodies throughout Northern Ireland with upgrades to their existing premises.

During his visit, Minister Muir learned how the financial package will benefit rural residents by enhancing local assets that help unite communities.

Ballylone RDA has received £40,000 to complete a series of internal refurbishments to its building, which include introducing a new kitchen and improving accessibility to allow for a broader variety of community initiatives. Minister Muir stated: "Community facilities play a vital role in sustaining rural life, providing shared spaces that support social connection, wellbeing and local services. That is why I was pleased to provide £2million in additional funding from my Department to help meet the significant demand for the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund in rural areas, to help ensure as many rural organisations as possible can benefit from this fund.

"With almost 60% of Letters of Offer issued to rural organisations overall, the fund is already demonstrating strong rural reach, supporting the places where communities come together and helping local services to thrive.

"The improvements being delivered for Ballylone will help ensure that their rural community facility is more accessible, more resilient and better equipped to serve the local community for years to come."

In conclusion, Minister Muir added: "This £2million contribution reflects my Department's ongoing commitment to supporting rural communities, and I welcome the collaboration with the Department for Communities that is helping to deliver real, tangible improvements for people in rural areas."