The Lagan Valley MP was speaking after meeting the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) about the future of shared prosperity funding, which was announced by the UK Government as a replacement for EU funding following Brexit.
However, it has not been administered in the same way, meaning many community and voluntary sector organisations have had jobs placed in jeopardy when the funding expires in seven months.
“I recently wrote to Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner to outline my concerns on the impending deadline for this funding,” said Ms Eastwood.
“Today’s meeting with NICVA has just reiterated those concerns – there is a real fear among many organisations in the sector about what will happen in seven months and how many jobs may be affected. The community and voluntary sector plays a vital role in Northern Ireland, touching on most aspects of life, so we must do all we can to protect it and gain answers for workers within it.
“This fund had been billed as a replacement for EU funds but that has not been the case. Urgent clarity is needed before a cliff edge rapidly approaching gets any closer.”
However, it has not been administered in the same way, meaning many community and voluntary sector organisations have had jobs placed in jeopardy when the funding expires in seven months.
“I recently wrote to Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner to outline my concerns on the impending deadline for this funding,” said Ms Eastwood.
“Today’s meeting with NICVA has just reiterated those concerns – there is a real fear among many organisations in the sector about what will happen in seven months and how many jobs may be affected. The community and voluntary sector plays a vital role in Northern Ireland, touching on most aspects of life, so we must do all we can to protect it and gain answers for workers within it.
“This fund had been billed as a replacement for EU funds but that has not been the case. Urgent clarity is needed before a cliff edge rapidly approaching gets any closer.”