Seven organisations in Fermanagh and Omagh will benefit from a share of £349,553.

The funding, from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's National Lottery Rural Engagement Arts Programme, will support a range of arts interventions to improve mental health, wellbeing, and cultural skills in Northern Ireland's rural communities.

The organisations include Dun Uladh Ltd, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Roughan Silver Band, Share Discovery Village, Sliabh Beagh Arts, South West Age Partnership, and Tempo Maguires GAC. 

The National Lottery Rural Engagement Arts Programme was established in 2022 to provide an integrated, cohesive approach to the needs of rural communities as they emerged from the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The overarching theme of the programme is to tackle isolation and loneliness and promote social inclusion and wellbeing through participation in the arts for those living in rural communities.

Gilly Campbell, director of arts development at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: "The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to make this funding available to rural communities, especially as we celebrate the 30th birthday of The National Lottery.

"We know that taking part in arts activities brings people and communities closer together, raises self-esteem, boosts confidence and motivation, as well as alleviates isolation and loneliness."