Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has praised the “anything but small” impact of local investment programmes during a visit to Ballymena, where he met community groups benefiting from the Department for Communities’ Neighbourhood Renewal funding. The Department invests over £20 million annually in the programme, which supports voluntary and community organisations across Northern Ireland’s 36 most deprived neighbourhoods.
Small Capital, Lasting Impact
Speaking at the Ecos Centre in Ballymena, Minister Lyons highlighted the practical difference that relatively modest investments can make to community infrastructure. The Department’s Small Capital Investment Programme—a key component of the broader Neighbourhood Renewal strategy—has supported 77 projects over the past year with an investment of £1.18 million.
Minister Lyons said:
“These projects may be described as “small capital,” but their impact is anything but small. Investment in small capital costs keeps services running and allows groups to adapt, expand, or innovate. Whether it’s roof repairs, upgraded IT equipment, a kitchen refurbishment, or essential accessibility improvements – these are not minor details – they are the practical enablers of meaningful community impact. My Department’s ongoing investment in Neighbourhood Renewal reflects a long‑term commitment, one that is not only financial but deeply rooted in our belief in the power of communities to shape their own futures.”
Community Voices
Representatives from four beneficiary organisations attended the event to share how the funding has supported their work across diverse communities.
Angela Mulholland from West Bann Development said:
“This funding has ensured that as a service provider to the local community, we were able to continue to offer a first-class service and providing people with a safe secure environment to learn, play and create.”
Jim McIlroy of Harryville Men’s Shed added:
“Men’s Shed provides a vital role within the community offering a safe, welcoming space where men can connect, learn, and support one another. This investment has played a vital role in helping to maintain and strengthen the services we provide to men across the Ballymena community.”
Theresa Brady from Ionad na Fuiseoige commented:
“Small capital funding meets a real need in the community – relatively small amounts of money required that can make a huge difference to the local area.”
John Hunter of Community Sports Network, Shankill, noted:
“Relatively small investments can deliver significant, long-term impact. This funding has created lasting benefits, improving safety, expanding opportunities, and allowing us to meet a broader range of community needs.”
Programme Reach and Results
The Neighbourhood Renewal programme operates across Northern Ireland under the “People and Place” strategy first launched in 2003. The programme targets 36 specific areas identified within the most deprived 10% of wards, comprising:
- 15 areas in Belfast
- 6 areas in the north west (including four in Londonderry)
- 15 areas in other towns and cities across Northern Ireland
According to Department figures for 2024/25, the Fund helped over 1,500 people secure employment through targeted training and employability interventions. Additionally, more than 5,500 adults were given opportunities to volunteer within their communities.
Context and Future Uncertainties
While the Minister celebrated current successes, the programme operates against a backdrop of significant budgetary pressure across the Department for Communities. The Department is conducting a comprehensive People and Place Review to update the strategy that has underpinned Neighbourhood Renewal since 2003. This review may fundamentally alter how deprivation is measured and targeted in future years.
Questions also arise regarding the sustainability of current funding arrangements. Recent Belfast City Council minutes reveal that Neighbourhood Renewal funding for advice services—totalling £286,000 in 2024/25—is scheduled to transition to council administration before ending entirely in 2026/27, creating uncertainty for long-established community advice providers.
Furthermore, the Department faces difficult choices elsewhere—including reduced capital allocations for social housing that, according to housing associations, have put new-build programmes “on the brink of collapse“. Against this backdrop, maintaining the £20 million annual Neighbourhood Renewal commitment may face scrutiny in future budget rounds.
Questions for Consideration
- How will the ongoing People and Place Review affect the future targeting and funding of Neighbourhood Renewal areas, and will the current 36 zones remain the priority?
- Can the Department maintain its £20 million annual commitment given broader budget pressures and competing priorities like social housing and homelessness services?
- Are the deprivation measures used to identify the 36 Neighbourhood Renewal Areas—originally based on data from over two decades ago—still accurately reflecting current patterns of poverty across Northern Ireland?
- What support will be available for community groups in deprived areas that fall outside the current designated zones?
- How will the Department ensure continuity of service provision when current Neighbourhood Renewal funding arrangements for advice services conclude in 2026/27?
The Department has indicated it will continue to support community infrastructure through the Small Capital Investment Programme, though the shape of future funding may change as the People and Place Review concludes. Community groups and stakeholders should monitor the review’s outcomes closely, as they may signal significant shifts in how the Executive targets resources to tackle deprivation across Northern Ireland.