84 Community Groups to improve their local green spaces

21 Sep 2022

84 Community Groups from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland share over €900,000 to improve their local areas  

From an urban life corridor seeking to improve local biodiversity and engage people of all ages in Derry, to a project in Antrim helping the older generation and the physically challenged connect with nature, 84 local voluntary and community-based groups have been selected to share over €900,000 in funding from AXA Ireland.

It’s all part of AXA Parks Fund, an initiative to support sustainable, community-led projects creating or improving green spaces in their localities. It is estimated that over 350,000 people will benefit from the 84 projects being funded. The Community Foundation, Northern Ireland partnered with Community Foundation Ireland to deliver the AXA Park Fund.

“The support from AXA will help us engage more members of the local communities in particular the funding will help us to improve access for the older generation and those who are physically challenged by installing outdoor seating and wheelchair friendly raised beds.” – Lizzie Whyman, Groundwork NI

Karen Healy, Environmental Officer, Creggan Country Park explains  “Our focus is on highlighting urban green spaces rich in biodiversity to bring people of all ages closer to nature through outdoor recreation, and new learning opportunities

Everything from sensory gardens and walking trails to wildlife preservation, the selected projects may be diverse in nature but are unified in their mission of preserving and enhancing local environments and improving the health and wellbeing of their communities. View other funded projects here.

Roisin Wood, CEO Community Foundation “

“There has never been a more important time for our green spaces to flourish in local communities and this funding is supporting some fantastic projects that will revitalise our green spaces. This fund encourages the creation or restoration of an environment where people can socialise, relax and provide a space for physical and mental wellbeing. As well as helping to contribute to the improvement of the health and well-being of people in local communities these projects will also help to restore engendering pride in neighborhoods. The Foundation is delighted to be working with Community Foundation Ireland again, delivering the new AXA Parks Fund for communities in the North.”

Commenting on the project, Antoinette McDonald, Customer and Marketing Director at AXA, says

“AXA Parks is about helping local communities to thrive by empowering them with the resources they need to bring projects to life. Small, local groups continue to work tirelessly to deliver meaningful projects in their local communities. As a business, we want to do what we can to support them as well as helping to address the climate and environmental challenges we all face.”