The Lough Neagh Strategic Fund owes its origins to the success of the original Loughshores Area Based Strategy funded under the 1994 -1999 Rural Development Programme, which focused on the western and southern shores of the Lough. The initiative also has its origins in the Lough Neagh Management Strategy, a document produced by the Lough Neagh Advisory Committee and Co-ordinating Committee which considers and offers advice to issues facing the Lough.

THE LOUGH NEAGH PARTNERSHIP

The Lough Neagh Partnership comprises representation from local authorities, statutory and community organisations, as well as stakeholders with a particular interest in the Lough. The Partnership considered and developed specific actions from the Management Strategy in anticipation of attracting strategic funding for the Lough. In 2003 the Partnership received a funding package of £3.2m under the Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity (BSP) for a major regeneration initiative for the entire Lough Neagh area.

THE LOUGH NEAGH STRATEGIC FUND

The Lough Neagh Strategic Fund will support environmental, economic and social projects, which will assist with the sustainable development and management of this world-renowned wetland area. The funding available will create opportunities to improve and develop tourism, recreation, biodiversity, built heritage and local businesses. The Fund will also help brand and market the Lough.  All of the needs to be addressed are taken from the Lough Neagh Management Strategy, and can be categorised as follows:

·        Marketing – promoting and developing the Lough Neagh area.

·        Strategic Management – producing a development plan and a baseline to measure outputs against.

·        Water Quality – improving quality and preventing deterioration, to encourage increased use of the Lough.

·        Land based recreation – development and management of recreational opportunities for local people and visitors.

·        Agriculture, minerals and fish – ensuring the sustainable use of land, minerals and fish in the Lough Neagh Wetlands area.

·        Water based recreation – development and management of recreational opportunities for local people and visitors.

·        Landscape – maintaining the characteristic landscape of the Lough Neagh Wetlands, while ensuring economic, environmental and social sustainability.

·        Biodiversity – protection, restoration and management of biodiversity in the Lough Neagh Wetlands.

·        Life, work and influencing change – maintaining a viable community around the Lough, through the provision of support to indigenous businesses, education, and economic activity in the area.

The above categories form the funding themes for the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund.  The pack contains information on the types of activities that are eligible under each theme and the BSP measure most appropriate to your project. The pack also provides advice on how to apply as well as guidance on what information is required to correctly complete an application.

If you have any queries or wish to discuss an application, please contact the Lough Neagh Partnership.

Good luck with your application!