Lo calls for a long term funding arrangement for the Minority Ethnic Development Fund

Alliance MLA Anna Lo has welcomed the extension of the Minority Ethnic Development Fund but has criticised the fact that funding had ended on the 31st March and that this delay in the extension had left some organisations in a difficult position.

Anna Lo MLA said: “Whilst I welcome the announcement of a further 6 months extension of funding for organisations, this is very late in the day. Funding for organisations ended on 31 March and organisations didn’t know until now whether they were getting funding at all beyond the end of the last financial year.

“This is an unacceptable way for OFMDFM to treat organisations that do such important work. Some had even feared that they might have to make staff redundant.

“This is the 3rd time this current funding had been extended on a 6-monthly basis providing no certainty for organisations receiving financial support under this funding stream. The delay in finalising the funding programme has created instability and difficulties in capacity building in the sector.”

ENDS