Alpha event: L to R Liam McDonald, Alpha Resource Management, Paula Quigley CEO Groundwork NI and Junior Minister Jennifer McCann put their gardening skills to good use as The Alpha Programme marks investing over £3.3 m to local community and bio diversity projects within a 10 mile radius of the Mullaghglass Landfill site.
A local funding initiative based within the Greater Belfast and Lisburn areas is marking an investment of over £3.3m to a range of projects, which focus on enriching local communities.
The Alpha Programme was launched in 2008 by Alpha Resource Management Ltd, a dedicated waste management and green energy company based at Mullaghglass, a Lagan Group Company.
The Programme was created to provide a means to allocate funding through the Landfill Tax Credits Scheme to local communities projects and environmental regeneration schemes.
The funding is made up of a combination of Landfill Tax and direct contributions from Alpha Resource Management Ltd.
To date, 101 groupshave been successfully awardedfundsto cultivate a range of projects that involve grassroots community work or environmental regeneration.
The programme is designed to make a positive impact and enhance areas within a 10 mile radius of the Landfill site at Mullaghglass.
Commenting on the success and growth of the programme, Junior Minister Jennifer McCann said;
“Tax on landfill waste was introduced to reduce the amount of this type of waste and to encourage a shift to more environmentally sustainable methods of waste management.
“This innovative programme is very encouraging not only strengthening ourlocal communities but alsosetting an industry standard. Other companies within the waste management sector should take note and strive to be more environmentally responsible by continuallyreinvesting back into surrounding areas.”
Groups involved in the Alpha Programme focus theirefforts into diverse schemes including; sports clubs, community gardens, play areas and other environmental regeneration projects.
Managing Director, Mark Kelly from the Lagan Group adds; “We recognised the importance of building effective programme for the distribution of Landfill Tax credits near our Mullaghglass site.
“We work closely with Groundwork NI to ensure that funding is distributed to a variety of projects- all of which make a real difference to the surrounding community or improve local wildlife and beauty spots. The latest announcement of £347,000 to another eight groups is a testament to the success of the Alpha Programme and how it can continue to make a positive contribution to local communities.
Paula Quigley, Chief Executive of Groundwork NI said: “Our aim with the Alpha Programme is to deliver impactfulprojects viasocial regeneration oran environmental theme. The work is designed to change places, lives and minds for the better. We are delighted to be able to continue with this partnership and wouldencourage groups who are interested in improving their offering to get involved and learn more.”
Projects to benefit at £3m event:
- Ormeau Boxing Club – £49,587.15 (South Belfast)
- Work West – £50,000 (West Belfast)
- National Trust – £35,154 (Lagan Valley)
- North Belfast Women’s Initiative & Support Project – £28,640 (North Belfast)
- RSPB – £35,000 (Lagan Valley)
- HUBB CRC -£47,747.30 (North Belfast)
- North Lisburn Community Investment – £50,000 (Lisburn)
- Gort Na Mona GAC – £50,000
