Get ‘In It To Win It’

If you are a community or voluntary group within the Slieve Croob District Electoral Area (DEA), you are invited to compete for £375 funding towards your community project, through a new initiative developed by the Slieve Croob District Electoral Area (DEA) Forum.

Slieve Croob DEA Forum Chairperson, Councillor Mark Murnin said, “In It To Win It has been developed with the goal of not only supporting innovative community projects in the Slieve Croob area but also to offer its community and voluntary groups a chance to decide which project deserves to receive the money.”

“On Thursday 22 March, in the Downshire Civic Centre, Downpatrick, each group will be given three minutes to pitch for the money by presenting their project in a medium that suits them. 

Members of the other voluntary and community organisations will score the projects between 1 and 5 and the two projects with the highest score, will each win £375. The DEA Forum may consider offering larger funding pots in the future, if this initiative is successful.”  

“The event provides training towards putting together a successful pitch and offers the area’s voluntary and community sector access to hard-to-find financial resources for unique projects.  It also gives them a chance to vote on where public money is spent in their area.”

Mr Murnin continued, “As a Forum we want to meet the needs of the local community and ensure money is spent where it is required.  In It To Win It is a great opportunity for groups to put forward projects that will make a real difference at the heart of the community. I would like to see more initiatives like this rolled out in the future, as it empowers the local community to make decisions that will make a lasting difference to the health and wellbeing of all the residents in Slieve Croob. I am delighted we are working in partnership with Community Development Health Network, County Down Rural Community Network and Volunteer Now to implement this exciting new initiative.”  

Groups must complete a simple application form and submit it by 4pm on Wednesday 21 February for a chance to pitch their idea in front of an audience and panel of judges from the other applicants.  Only the first 15 groups that return their application form will be accepted so make sure you submit your form early to avoid disappointment.

For a copy of the application form or for any further information, please contact, Slieve Croob DEA Co-ordinator, Priscilla McAlinden on 028 9756 4113 or email : priscilla.mcalinden@nmandd.org.

Forms can also be downloaded from newrymournedown.org/below