Fibrus is helping combat digital poverty and has donated £57,805 to 32 community groups across Northern Ireland as part of the 2025 Fibrus Community Fund, to improve access to digital technology and internet services.
The company has provided financial support from the fund to a range of community focused organisations, including Sixtowns Cross Community Group, Newtownstewart Community Forum and Bannagh Community Project, delivered in partnership with The Community Foundation Northern Ireland.
Since launching in 2021, The Fibrus Community Fund has provided over £230k 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.
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 local organisations dedicated to helping their communities.”
John McCombe, Honorary Treasurer at Moyola Angling Association added: “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.
“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, and really help to build connections within the club and allow those to stay connected in a much wider sense.”
Orla Black, Director of Grants and Fund Development at the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland commented: “The partnership with the Community Foundation and Fibrus continues to have a real and meaningful impact on the ground. More communities and local organisations are getting connected and this latest round of funding once again has reached so many people to enable change.”
