Statement for immediate release:
NICVA welcomes the proposal today in Finance Minister Conor Murphy’s Assembly budget statement for a way to close the current match-funding gap faced by over 50 community and voluntary organisations working to help over 17,000 vulnerable people into employment.
Around £20 million of EU funding from Northern Ireland’s final European Social Fund programme has been approved for this crucial work but must be matched by around £14 million of NI government funding. However, approximately £8 million of this match-funding has still not been committed, despite an impending 31st March 2022 deadline for the necessary funding to be secured by organisations.
NICVAs Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Geoff Nuttall said:
“The Minister’s proposal to make extra funding available to the Economy Minister in order to close this current funding gap is greatly welcomed. NICVA hopes that this potential solution will be implemented as soon as possible to ensure these vital support services can continue in these challenging economic times.”
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Contact Geoff Nuttall at [email protected]