The third strand of Sport Northern Ireland’s Everybody Active 2020 initiative, Outdoor Spaces, will formally open in late October 2016.
This strand is funded by the National Lottery and is targeted at small scale capital projects that deliver new or enhanced sustainable trails or facilities in the natural environment. The aim is to encourage increased participation by local communities in sport and physical recreation through strong community engagement and “ownership” of the project developed.
Sport NI is aiming to have at least one new project in each of the 11 local council areas, and applications for funding will be open to community groups, local authorities and voluntary / charity organisations.
The maximum cost of the project should normally be no greater than £250,000 as the focus is on community level outdoor infrastructure and funding will be up to 75% depending on the scale of the project (see table below).
| Total project cost | Maximum Sport NI funding | Maximum grant |
| Over £100,000 | 50% | £120,000 |
| £100,000 and under | 75% | £75,000 |
Sport Northern Ireland will be hosting a series of roadshows in November, with further information on the funding stream, and guidance on the application process.
To register to your place at one of the roadshows – please email aidancreamer@sportni.net
| Date | Time | Venue |
| Monday 7th Nov 2016 | 16:00 – 19:00 | Loughs Agency, Derry |
| Thursday 10th Nov 2016 | 16:00 – 19:00 | Waterways Ireland, Enniskillen |
| Monday 14th Nov 2016 | 16:00 – 19:00 | Clotworthy House, Antrim |
| Thursday 17th Nov 2016 | 16:00 – 19:00 | Ballymote Community Centre, Downpatrick |
| Monday 21st Nov 2016 | 16:00 – 19:00 | House of Sport, Belfast |