NINE projects across Northern Ireland are to benefit from a 'coastal communities fund' of £835,000.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said the initiatives will create 55 direct jobs and 212 positions indirectly as well as attracting £500,000 in additional investment from public and private sector sources.
Among the projects being supported are the Limavady Innovation Hub, Ballywalter Lime Kilns and the Immersive Causeway Experience Programme.
The Coastal Communities Fund aims to includes support for volunteering and employment opportunities for vulnerable people, parents or families returning to education.
It also helps in the restoration of tourist attractions, business units creating employment and an environmental apprenticeship scheme.
Claire Vincent of the Marine and Fisheries Division said: "I am delighted to announce this significant support towards the development of our communities along the Northern Ireland coast and which will fund a wide range of projects that have been designed and developed by local people and which will create jobs and improve lives, which is consistent with the programme’s objective that 'coastal communities will experience regeneration and economic growth'.
"I congratulate all nine successful applicants in what was a very competitive and heavily subscribed programme and would wish them every success in the delivery of their projects which will contribute to the creation of 267 jobs in our coastal communities."
