Local broadband provider, Fibrus, has donated £57,805 to 32 community groups across Northern Ireland as part of the 2025 Fibrus Community Fund, to help improve access to digital technology and internet services.
A range of community focused organisations have received financial support from the fund, including Sixtowns Cross Community Group, Newtownstewart Community Forum and Bannagh Community Project.
Since launching in 2021, The Fibrus Community Fund has provided over £230,000 worth of funding to over 130 community groups spread across Northern Ireland, to support digital inclusion projects.
With community and rural inclusion at the centre of Fibrus’ core values since the company began, this initiative was established to help bridge the digital divide within local communities. It is delivered in partnership with The Community Foundation Northern Ireland.
One of the groups that significantly benefited from the latest round of funding is a Mid-Ulster based angling group, Moyola Angling Association. The group will use its £2000 of funding to purchase three laptops for a community loan scheme and hold digital workshops with local schools in the area.
Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said: “Fostering digital inclusion continues to be a priority for Fibrus, and we believe everyone should have access to essential digital services here in Northern Ireland and beyond.
“This year, we were blown away by the number applications for The Fibrus Community Fund from so many outstanding local organisations dedicated to helping their communities. We are so proud to support their efforts and look forward to seeing how they use the funding to fuel their development.”
John McCombe, Honorary Treasurer at Moyola Angling Association emphasised the impact this project will have on people’s lives:“Lots of our older members don’t have access to a computer or internet at home, so the ability to buy three new laptops, with the support of Fibrus, will make a huge difference to our club members.
“We plan to set up a community laptop loan scheme to help address this with members being able to use the laptop at home or at the club to go online, take part in Zoom meetings or renew their fishing license. This will really help to build connections within the club and allow those availing of the scheme to stay connected in a much wider sense.”
Orla Black, Director of Grants and Fund Development at the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland commented on the benefit Fibrus’ support has had: “The partnership with the Community Foundation and Fibrus continues to have a real and meaningful impact on the ground. More and more communities and local organisations are getting connected whether it is in terms of access to the internet, mobile devices, laptops or tablets.
“This latest round of funding once again has reached so many people and we are looking forward to hearing their stories of how this fund has enabled change.”