Swann Welcomes Connect Fund

Robin Swann MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement of the Connect Fund, a new grant scheme which will award up to a total of £1m towards strengthening civic East-West (NI-GB) collaboration.

Mr Swann said:

“It is fantastic that the UK Government has recognised the immense value in East-West working and the innovation, solutions and opportunities that Northern Ireland offers to the rest of the United Kingdom. I hope that this fund will go some way in promoting shared opportunities, building links across the Irish Sea, and tackling shared challenges.

“The funding is to be allocated in two rounds, each with £500,000 available, and applications can be made for grants between £300 and £50,000, and can be used for one-off projects or recurrent projects over two years The applications for Round 1 of the funding opened last week and applications can be made online.

“I would strongly recommend that those in South Antrim who have an innovative project with this East-West lens and an original approach which would benefit from this funding to get their application in for this first round of funding.”