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Changes to the Ulster-Scots Financial...

21 July 2009

On Thursday 9th July a revised Financial Assistance Scheme for the Ulster-Scots Agency was approved at the North South Ministerial Council meeting.

The Financial Assistance Scheme sets out the criteria by which applications from community and voluntary groups are assessed and determined by the Ulster-Scots Agency.

 

After consulting with voluntary and community groups the Agency proposed changes to ensure that the scheme addresses more effectively the needs of the Ulster-Scots community on the ground.

 

As part of the revised scheme there will now be four sections offering opportunities for seeking financial assistance from the Agency, as follows:

 

  1. Voluntary and Community groups
  2. A "Working with Others scheme" which provides opportunities for organisations who are not deemed to be voluntary and community groups to access funding through a partnership approach.
  3. Sponsorship
  4. Core Funding

 

The revised scheme was endorsed and approved by both Ministers during the North South Ministerial Council meeting and will go live with immediate affect. The Ulster-Scots community should begin to see the impact of the changes in the coming months.

 

Culture Minister, Nelson McCausland met with George Patton, Chief Executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency on Friday 10th July to discuss the Agency’s revised Financial Assistance Scheme.

 

Minister McCausland warmly welcomed the proposed changes to the Scheme.  The Minister said: It is essential to support the development of the Ulster-Scots community infrastructure on the ground.  We must empower the community, especially those voluntary and community, based groups and organisations involved in the promotion and development of the Ulster-Scots culture, heritage and language.”

 

Also offering his support for the revised Financial Assistance Scheme Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív TD said “I am delighted to support the adoption of the amended Grants Framework which gives the Agency greater flexibility in supporting community-based activities to promote Ulster Scots heritage and language.”

 

George Patton, Chief Executive at the Ulster-Scots Agency said “The revised Financial Assistance Scheme will provide the community with even greater opportunities to develop Ulster Scots and we are looking forward to working with the community utilising all that this scheme offers”.