Disability funding success for five local organisations

Five local organisations have been successful in their bids for UK-wide funding to support projects during the coming European Year of People with Disabilities.

Congratulating the successful applicants, Des Browne, the minister for health, said the project grant scheme had been considerably over subscribed with 1,180 applications for around 90 funded projects, however "the fact that five local organisations have been successful in bidding for funding reflects the very high quality of their bids".

He added: "It also shows the importance of the work that these organisations have been doing and shall continue to do throughout the course of the year. These are projects which will contribute significantly to the further promotion of the rights of people with disabilities in Northern Ireland."

The winners and amounts awarded were:

• NI Partners in Policy Making Programme, Circles Network, County Fermanagh. Regional Winner. £50,000.
• Easy to Talk, North and West Housing, Derry City. £10,000.
• Pride or Prejudice: Our Pride Your Prejudice, North West Forum of People with Disabilities. £9,993.
• DOVE: Disability-Opportunities in Volunteering for Empowerment, Omagh District Volunteer Bureau. £10,000.
• Triangle Supported Employment Transition Workbook, Triangle Housing Association, Ballymoney. £9,833.

The European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 will be launched by events across the UK during week commencing January 20, 2003, followed by further events throughout the year.

The European Year is being organised in the UK by a National Co-ordinating Committee (NCC) and a Government Steering Group, set up by the Department of Works and Pensions. NI interests are represented on both Groups.

A Northern Ireland Regional Steering Group (RSG) was set up to develop and co-ordinate events in Northern Ireland throughout 2003.

The Chair of the RSG is Dr Gerry Mulligan and membership comprises representatives from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, the voluntary and business sectors, local government, Trade Unions and the public sector.

The grants will be paid in instalments, with all projects to start in the New Year for completion no later than March 31.

(MB)