The Armagh-based CAIRDE Teo has been shortlisted for a prestigious grant scheme – and local people are being called upon to support its bid for funding.
Six local community groups in Northern Ireland who applied for funding in the latest round of the Ulster Bank Skills and Opportunities Fund are now in the running to receive significant financial support.
With the help of the public, shortlisted community groups are now eligible to receive grants of up to £35,000 and each group now needs the backing of people across Northern Ireland, casting their vote online in order to support the most deserving community projects.
CAIRDE Teo aims to run a tailored 14-month enterprise support and training scheme that will create four new enterprises for the new cultural enterprise centre in Armagh – based on the site of the former fire station at the Shambles – creating 12 jobs for young people in deprived and minority communities.
Sean Murphy, Managing Director, Personal Banking at Ulster Bank, said: “To date we’ve helped 10 organisations in Northern Ireland through the Skills and Opportunities Fund. The impact of these projects, which are helping people to build new skills, get into work or start their own business, is fantastic.
“While the voting process is quick and simple, the profound positive impact that successful projects have long term is remarkable. So I would encourage everyone to spare just 60 seconds to vote for their favourite local project and help us to help even more people and communities across Northern Ireland.”
The shortlisted groups across the UK and Republic of Ireland include charities, community groups, social enterprises and state-funded schools and colleges.
Each of the shortlisted organisations have proposed an ongoing programme or standalone project – either new or a tried-and-tested initiative that they wish to extend further – that will help people in disadvantaged communities gain access to practical support, resources and mentoring, equipping them with the necessary skills and opportunities to realise their potential and fast-track personal and career success.
Voting closes at noon on Friday, November 10 and the public is encouraged to rally around each worthy cause and encourage friends and acquaintances to vote too by using #SkillsandOpportunities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Other shortlisted groups include Causeway Enterprise Agency, MACS Supporting Children and Young People, NDDO, South West College and Women in Business.
For more information on the shortlisted community groups and to cast your vote, visit skillsandopportunitiesfund.ulsterbank.com.
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, December 11 on the Ulster Bank Skills & Opportunities website.
