Randalstown, Glenavy and Crumlin groups secure funding for community facility upgrades
Minister pictured with committee members of Randalstown Arches Association which was awarded £40,000 for improvements at Arches House, where activities include delivery of educational, recreational and community development activities for Randalstown and the surrounding rural area.
Wednesday 4 November 2026
Three community organisations in Randalstown, Glenavy and Crumlin have secured a combined £74,400 to improve buildings used by local families, young people and community groups.
The funding will support essential repairs, improved accessibility, safer facilities and energy-saving upgrades, helping the organisations maintain spaces used for educational, recreational and social activities.
The grants have been awarded through the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund, with Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir visiting all three organisations to hear about their work and planned improvements.
Randalstown association receives £40,000
Randalstown Arches Association has received the largest of the three awards, securing £40,000 for improvements at Arches House.
The funding will pay for upgrades to heating, fire safety and security systems, alongside replacement flooring in community spaces.
Arches House provides educational, recreational and community development activities for people living in Randalstown and the surrounding rural area.
Glenavy youth facilities to benefit from £20,200
Minister pictured with committee members of Glenavy Youth Project which was awarded £20,200 to continue supporting young people aged five to 24 through educational, recreational and wellbeing activities.
Glenavy Youth Project has been awarded £20,200 to improve facilities supporting children and young people aged five to 24.
The work includes roof and guttering repairs, refurbishment of two bathrooms, including a fully accessible toilet, and an upgrade to the building's CCTV system.
The project provides educational, recreational and wellbeing activities, with the investment intended to help maintain a safe and accessible environment for those using its services.
Solar panels and heating improvements for Crumlin club
Minister pictured with committee members of Crumlin United Football and Social Club which was awarded £14,200 to support the club’s wider community activities, including charitable work, awareness programmes and initiatives promoting social inclusion.
Crumlin United Football and Social Club has secured £14,200 to replace radiators and install solar panels at its premises.
The improvements are designed to increase energy efficiency, potentially reducing the club's longer-term running costs.
Beyond football, the club supports wider community activities, including charitable initiatives, awareness programmes and projects promoting social inclusion.
£2 million investment supporting rural communities
The Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund was launched by the Department for Communities in September 2025 to help voluntary and community organisations improve buildings used for social, recreational and educational purposes.
It provides capital grants of up to £40,000 for projects such as refurbishment, accessibility improvements and energy efficiency measures.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is contributing £2 million to support additional projects in rural communities across Northern Ireland.
During his visits, Minister Muir met volunteers from the three organisations and discussed how the investment would support their activities.
He said:
“My Department’s £2million contribution to the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund is helping these rural voluntary and community organisations to maintain or improve their buildings to address locally identified need.
“I was pleased to visit Glenavy Youth Project, Crumlin United Football and Social Club and Randalstown Arches Association and hear from each about their work and how this funding will support them.”
Further collaboration under consideration
Minister Muir said the partnership between DAERA and the Department for Communities had allowed more organisations to benefit from the funding.
He added:
“The collaboration between my Department and the Department for Communities has extended the reach of the Fund and enabled more community organisations across Northern Ireland to benefit. I am working closely with Minister Lyons to examine how we can extend that collaboration in the future.”
While the three awards have been confirmed, no timetable for completing the individual building projects was provided.
For the organisations involved, the investment offers an opportunity to address practical building needs while maintaining facilities that provide activities, support and opportunities for people in their local communities.
