To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on how community sector organisations will be supported in preparing to celebrate the links between Northern Ireland and the United States ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence presents a unique opportunity to promote the cultural and historical links between Northern Ireland and the United States and the significant role that people from here played in shaping America.

I established the United States / Northern Ireland Cultural Working Group to explore new opportunities and to develop a programme of cultural engagement to further the historical links that exist.

Community sector organisations that want to mark the anniversary here will be able to look towards the wide range of existing funding schemes that support community activity, such as the Community Festivals Fund which my department supports in partnership with the local councils. The normal application and governance arrangements for such schemes are likely to continue to apply.

National Museums Northern Ireland will be preparing a programme of events and activities focussed at the Ulster American Folk Park. While Libraries NI do not at present have any specific plans, they will continue to consider the potential for public libraries to support the marking of the anniversary.

There is huge potential to exploit all the links and I am keen to see everybody involved in making sure that we make the most of this unique opportunity.