Minister Muir announces £2million investment into the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir today visited Ballylone Rural Development Association, a rural organisation awarded funding under the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund (NICIF).

This fund, delivered by the Department for Communities (DfC) and supported by DAERA, provides capital grants to help community and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland improve their existing community buildings.

During the visit, Minister Muir heard first-hand how the funding will support rural dwellers through improvements to local facilities that can help bring communities together.

Ballylone RDA have been awarded £40,000 for a range of improvements to the internal fabric of their building including improved accessibility, and a new kitchen to support a more varied range of activities to the local community. Minister Muir said: “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 concluding, 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.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund (NICIF), a Department for Communities fund, was launched in September 2025.
2. The Fund provides small capital grants of up to £40,000 to help community and voluntary organisations improve community buildings used for social, recreational and educational purposes.
3. DAERA is providing £2million to fund additional projects in rural areas of Northern Ireland.
4. In total, 243 community facilities across Northern Ireland received Letters of Offer under the Fund 145 (57.7%) issued to rural organisations awarding grant totalling £4.7million.