More than 50 Mid Canterbury community groups and organisations are set to benefit from a share of $1.2 million for their upcoming programmes and projects after the Ashburton District Council announced the recipients of its Community Grants and Funding.

The Council has awarded $1,211,980 from its 2020/21 round of funding to 55 groups who applied for the grants in February this year.

The funding has been made available through nine grant categories, Community Library; Community Agency; Community Projects; Community Events; Biodiversity; Community Infrastructure; Heritage; School Holiday Programme; and Sport Development.

Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown says the Council is thrilled to be helping so many local groups to deliver projects and services that will benefit residents right across the district.

"Council grants and funding make a huge difference to getting great community-led programmes off the ground and ensuring they can be enjoyed by so many people. Congratulations to all of the recipients, and I look forward to seeing these initiatives getting underway in the months ahead."

The funding will be used to support a variety of initiatives including purchasing new sports equipment, planting native plant species, repairing community facilities, buying construction materials for new disability toilets, running school holiday programmes, and building a mountain bike beginner skills area.

The full list of successful recipients and funds awarded is available on the Council website