Levelling Up funding decision must be reversed

21 Nov 2023

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland have expressed their disappointment that Northern Ireland has not been allocated any funding under the latest round of Levelling Up and have called on the UK Government to reverse their decision.

Speaking on the announcement, Chief Executive of the Foundation Róisín Wood said:

“We are extremely disappointed with today’s announcement. Once again, the UK Government is failing to provide appropriate investment for Northern Ireland. Organisations in the community and voluntary sector are facing unprecedented demands on their services, and at the same time trying to navigate cuts to funding with the pressures of ever-increasing costs.

“Organisations have invested heavily in preparing applications and proposals under the Levelling Up fund, and today’s announcement will come as a further blow to the sector. The solution to the crisis in this sector will not be solved by more austerity, but by long term investment in organisations and services that work daily to change and save lives.

“We are calling on the Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove to overturn this decision and to continue with this much needed investment in Northern Irelands businesses, charities, and communities.”