Hazzard launches £100,000 grants scheme for community led road safety initiatives
Date published:
Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has launched the 2016/17 Road Safety Grant Scheme which presents individuals and community groups an opportunity to apply for funding of up to £10,000 to develop and deliver local road safety initiatives.
Minister Hazzard said:
“We all share the road, so we all share the responsibility. For this reason community involvement is enormously important and plays a vital role in helping raise awareness of road safety.
“The Road Safety Grants Scheme is aimed at helping engage and empower individuals, communities and organisations to promote and practise good road safety behaviours.
“I am inviting those who believe that they can make a positive contribution by delivering innovative, community-led road safety projects to apply for financial support in helping us work together to reduce the number of people who are killed or injured on our roads.
“I am committed to supporting local road safety initiatives, in particular those which allow us to deliver powerful road safety messages while addressing specific road safety issues within local communities.
“I am confident that voluntary and community groups have contributed to saving lives and their work has also supported our ambitions to eliminate death on the road. If we all take personal responsibility, make better choices which lead to safer actions on every journey we can make our roads safer for everyone.”
To qualify, groups must be properly constituted, have a bank account and be able to complete the project by 3 March 2017. Applications are also acceptable from individuals who are working in partnership with a community group involved in the process.
NICVA CEO Seamus McAleavey said: “This is an excellent opportunity for voluntary and community organisations to become directly involved in helping address local road safety issues. I would encourage individuals and groups who may have an innovative solution to a local issue to get involved and take advantage of the help being offered by the Department.”
Grants must be used on locally focused road safety projects to help the Department achieve outcomes identified within its Road Safety Strategy to 2020.
For more information and a funding application pack visit: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/road-safety-grant-scheme
Application must be received by the Department by 12 noon on Friday 22 July 2016.