Rural isolation is to be one of seven core issues tackled as part of a new wave of Northern Ireland's new 'Uniting Opportunities' programme.

The small grants programme run by the Department for Communities - Uniting Opportunities - was launched on Monday (July 9) Minister Deirdre Hargey.

Uniting Opportunities aims to promote good relations and reconciliation through sport and creativity by addressing barriers to community participation that some young people face.

The programme will target young people, aged between 11 and 24 who identify with the following groups:

Applications to the Uniting Opportunities Programme follow a two-stage process.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: “I’m delighted to announce the opening of the 2021-23 Uniting Opportunities Grant Scheme.

"My department has been running this scheme since 2017 supporting projects that create opportunities for participation for 11 to 24-year-olds in underrepresented groups. Projects continued to be delivered throughout the pandemic, providing vital support to those in most need and now look forward to continuing this support as we emerge from Covid.

West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer, who also chairs the Stormont Agriculture Committee, said: "I welcome Minister Hargey including rural isolation as a key theme in the Uniting Opportunities Programme.

"Many of the initiatives in the DAERA Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme (TRPSI) are geared towards young people's issues, so I am glad that the Communities Minister has also recognised the needs of young people in rural areas because these issues can only be addressed through a cross-departmental approach."