Fermanagh Rural Community Initiative to receive ‘Begin Together’ funding from Bank of Ireland

 

 

Fermanagh Rural Community Initiative, a charity based in Enniskillen, is among several community projects across Northern Ireland that will receive funding from Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together Community Fund in 2025.

The bank has allocated £8,600 to Fermanagh Rural Community Initiative to help them equip local disadvantaged communities within Co. Fermanagh and bordering counties to gain access to essential services for an improved quality of life for them and their families.

Gail Goldie, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Ireland, said: “For six years, our Community Fund has partnered with Community Foundation Ireland to provide funding to those most in need in our society. I am proud of the support we provide to groups doing vital work on so many of society’s critical issues.

“This year, our focus has been on projects that promote greater inclusion, equipping people with essential skills and creating connections through education, enterprise, or employment.

“These grants will help organisations expand their work among their service users and also plan for future initiatives. I wish Fermanagh Rural Community Initiative and all the community groups the best as they deliver the newly funded projects.”

Speaking about the funding, Ciaran Rooney, Managing Director of Fermanagh Rural Community Initiative said:

“This funding is very welcome. Through our training, we want to take away the fear some people have of computers and to help build both our service users digital skills and their confidence to enable them to access a variety of services that will open new doors and provide for a better quality of life for them and their families.

“Gaining IT skills also builds beliefas participants show themselves that they are still capable of learning and building on their current skills base, which can lead to new voluntary or employment opportunities. We’re delighted to have this new funding and thank Bank of Ireland, for their support.”

Bank of Ireland’s flagship community investment initiative, the Community Fund, delivered in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, has announced £435,500 of grants to community groups across the island of Ireland.

Other projects awarded grants in Northern Ireland range from just over £8,000 to more than £68,000 are; Advice NI, to help those seeking asylum to help foster social inclusion, independence, and access to vital services; Young Enterprise NI to support young people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland; and Bolster, for Seniors Living Well & Thriving which will offer friendship, signposting, resources, companionship, and connection to older people across the Newry and Mourne area.

A full list of 2025 Community Fund grantees is available to view on the Bank of Ireland website: Begin Together Fund – Bank of Ireland.