Funding scheme launched to conserve our Heritage

A funding scheme to help conserve our historic built heritage has been opened to applications.

The Repair Stream of the Historic Environment Fund, managed by the Department for Communities (DfC), is focused on supporting scheduled monuments and priority categories of listed buildings such as those that are on the buildings at risk register, thatched buildings, and those with owners on certain qualifying benefits. All work has to be completed within the current financial year.

Launching the fund,  Director of Historic Environment Iain Greenway said: “Our historic monuments and buildings are a key resource which, in addition to their heritage interest, are: an important part of our surroundings; contribute to community pride; and help strengthen our economy, right across Northern Ireland, through tourism.

“Last weekend thousands of people visited historic heritage attractions across Northern Ireland as part of European Heritage Open Days, which demonstrated the great debt we, as a society, have to those who look after and maintain these structures.  It is therefore important that we provide support, particularly to those structures and owners most in need.

 “I would encourage owners and organisations to apply for funding before the closing date of 10 October.”

Further information on how to apply to the Fund is available. 

Notes to editors: 

1. The Historic Environment Fund was first launched in 2016. The following streams of funding are open for applications this year: 

Heritage Repair - this aims to encourage sustainability and the preservation of the historic environment. Routes open this year are:

• Historic Monument Repair
• Listed Building Repair.

2. The Historic Environment Fund was launched at Drumderg cottage near Derrylin in Co Fermanagh which received money for thatching in 2016. It is one of around 152 listed thatched buildings which survive in Northern Ireland.

3. Funding is limited to the current financial year and will be allocated based upon applications received by the deadline of 10 October.

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5. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on 028 9082 3509 or email press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk.  Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.

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