In Bloom Funding: Applications Now Open!

Applications are now open for Ards and North Down Borough Council's In Bloom Fund. The aim of the fund is to provide grant aid for village groups, community associations, schools and others that want to purchase bedding plants, shrub or tree material for planting within the Borough.

Previous funding recipients include Conlig Community Association who were awarded funding in 2024. They used the funding to improve and enhance the appearance of Conlig by creating bright and colourful floral displays throughout the village, and by planting a community orchard. They worked collaboratively with locally based charity Praxis Care who support adults with learning disabilities.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said:

"The Ards and North Down In Bloom Fund provides our local volunteers with a helping hand to purchase plants and materials that will help enhance their area. This helps to instil local pride while also bringing people of all ages and abilities together from across the community. These hard-working volunteers can also submit entries to the Council's In Bloom competition which will be launched in later this year, and this also supports the Borough's entries into the wider Ulster in Bloom competition."

Applicants to the fund must demonstrate how they meet several criteria including:

• Meet the core objectives of Ards and North Down in Bloom. Help to instil local pride, create awareness of the environment and biodiversity, encourage cross community participation and involvement for those of all ages and abilities.
• Provide a vision as to how the funding will enhance particular areas and how this will be sustained in subsequent years.
• Evidence of approval from relevant landowner where works are to be carried out.
• Where appropriate, ensure insurance liability cover is in place, copy of certificate and schedule to be submitted.
• How the works are to be carried out, and by whom.
• Detailed breakdown of how funding will be utilised and receipts submitted accordingly.

Applications must be received by 4pm on Thursday 27 February. The allocation of funding is subject to council budget approval. For more information, including an application form, visit In Bloom Funding - Ards and North Down Borough Council