Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme returns after £9,000 boost to Mid and East Antrim in 2024
- Love Ballymena
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Lynda Surgenor Live Here Love Here Manager and Orla McGrady, Grants Officer at Live Here Love Here
The Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme is returning in 2025, following a successful year in which £9,715 was awarded to nine projects in the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area.
Launched by Northern Ireland’s largest community and civic pride campaign, the scheme—delivered in partnership with ten local councils, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and Belfast Harbour—is now open for new applications.
Grants ranging from £500 to £3,000 are available to eligible groups until 18 August 2025.
In 2024, over 600 volunteer hours were recorded across funded projects in Mid and East Antrim, underlining the strength of local dedication to improving shared spaces, encouraging biodiversity, and enhancing community wellbeing.
Funded initiatives included work by Cullybackey Community Partnership, St Louis Grammar School, Loughan EOTAS, and Dunclug Primary School—all aiming to create greener, more inclusive local environments.
One standout project saw Sp.I.N.I., in partnership with the Eco Garden Club Crebilly, transform a one-hectare site into an accessible community garden. The development includes wheelchair-accessible raised beds, wildflower areas, native fruit trees, flowering shrubs, and durable grass-seed pathways.
The project—supported by 27 volunteers giving 70 hours—has benefited more than 500 local people, especially those with mobility needs.
The 2024 Small Grants Scheme broke records, awarding £196,342 to 115 projects across Northern Ireland. A total of 4,500 volunteers played a role in revitalising neglected areas, fostering civic pride, and supporting environmental education and wellbeing.
“Empowering communities to leave a positive legacy”
Orla McGrady, Grants Officer at Live Here Love Here, said:
“Our Small Grants Scheme continues to prove its role in delivering tangible, long-lasting environmental benefits to urban and rural communities. With 378 applications last year, it’s clear the scheme encourages and empowers people to show the pride and passion they have for where they live.
“In addition to boosting the environment, we have found that the scheme also supports improved community health and wellbeing as these new shared spaces become places everyone can participate in.
“We look forward to communities submitting their ideas this year in hopes we can help more villages, towns and cities across Northern Ireland come together to leave a positive legacy.”
As part of this year’s outreach, Live Here Love Here is hosting a series of Connecting Communities events. A local event in Ballymena will take place on 28 August at the Des Allen Suite, Showgrounds, giving attendees the opportunity to engage with volunteers and learn how to apply for the 2025 scheme.
Lynda Surgenor, Manager of Live Here Love Here, added:
“The Small Grants Scheme continues to demonstrate the extraordinary impact funding can have when placed in the hands of passionate local people. Over 100 projects completed across Northern Ireland last year, and over £1.2 million in improvements have been delivered as a result of the scheme to date.
“The impact ranges from community allotments to school gardens, and biodiversity workshops to urban clean-ups—the sheer variety of noble ideas waiting to be supported, and the ongoing commitment of communities never ceases to amaze us.
“We look forward to delivering another successful year with the support of our partners in 2025.”
For more details or to apply to the 2025 Small Grants Scheme, visit: