Funding opens for Voluntary Youth organisations worth nearly £12million

Launched on Monday 3rd November, youth organisations can apply for funding across a number of opportunities including Local Area Based, Regional Project, Regional Development and Regional Strategic funding.

The funding awards released for 2026-2029 are an increase of 11% (£1.2 million) from the 2023-2026 period.

Following a year-long engagement process with youth service stakeholders, including children and young people, the funding opportunities are the first step to providing youth services in the right places, at the right time and for the right young people.

Having recently published the Regional Assessment of Need and Regional Youth Development Plan, the Education Authority have released today the Local Assessment of Needs and Local Youth Development Plans which set out an ambitious vision for youth service regionally and locally over the next three years. 

 The Assessments of Need put young people’s voices at the forefront of plans ensuring that all youth services delivered between 2026 to 2029 are evidence based and children and young person centred.

The funding awards released today have a focus on universal youth services, ensuring that the EA Youth Service and the Voluntary Youth Sector can deliver quality youth services, through an open access approach and ensure youth services are open to all and delivery is based on children and young people’s needs.

All regional and local youth organisations who are registered with the EA Youth Service are eligible to apply.

There are a series of support workshops hosted by our Funding Support and Assurance Officers to provide information on current funding opportunities and assist with any queries in relation to the application process.

Funding opportunities open on 3 November 2025, with applications closing on 28 November 2025. Assessment will begin in December 2025 and successful applicants will be notified by 15 December 2025. Funding will be made available to the successful applicants from 1 April 2026.

All funding awards open for applications are subject to budget from the Department of Education. For more information and to apply, please visit Funding – EANI Funding

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Grants Now Open for Applications

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has launched its latest round of community funding, with applications now open and closing on Friday 28 November 2025 at 4pm.

The funding programmes include:

• Community Support Grant

• Community Festivals Fund

• Arts Grants, Bursaries and Awards

These schemes are designed to empower local groups and organisations to deliver meaningful projects that enhance community life and cultural wellbeing across the council area.

In addition, two one-off funding opportunities have been launched:

• Inclusive Communities Fund – supporting programmes and events that promote community integration and inclusion

• Community Cohesion Fund – strengthening relationships between diverse communities and fostering mutual understanding through partnership delivery

📅 Information Workshops

To help guide groups through the application process, the following sessions have been arranged:

• Thursday 13 November, 7pm – Moneyreagh Community Centre

• Wednesday 19 November, 7pm – Online via Microsoft Teams

All forms and detailed guidance are available here:
🔗 Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Community Grants

For any queries, please contact Community Services at
📧 community.services@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk or ☎️ 028 9244 7713.

CFI Cross Border Partnerships Funding

Safefood is inviting applications for funding for its Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Cross Border Partnerships Funding.

The Community Food Initiatives programme aims to empower people in low-income communities to make healthier food choices. It funds local projects that improve access to healthy and safe food using a community development approach. Since 2010, over 65,000 people have taken part in a Community Food Initiative activity.

The Community Food Initiatives Programme 2025-28 is funded by Safefood and administered by SECAD Partnership CLG.

Safefood is an all-island implementation body set up under the British-Irish Agreement (1999) to promote awareness and knowledge of food safety and healthy eating on the island of Ireland.

CFI Cross Border Partnerships

Four cross-border partnerships will be funded focusing on low-income areas across the island of Ireland. A total of 8 organisations will be chosen with 2 organisations (one each from Ireland and Northern Ireland) working in partnership to deliver programmes over a 4-year period.

The two organisations involved in each partnership will deliver one programme per year. The two organisations need to develop and plan the programme and all its elements in partnership.  The programme will be co-designed by the participating organisations and in consultation with their local communities, to address specific local needs.

The programme will involve the delivery of a small project by each partner and must include at least one joint activity between the two organisations involved in each partnership. For example, one organisation hosts an event or initiative that includes participants from the partner organisation.  These projects should take a programme approach where participants are supported over a period of time.

Your organisation must have identified a partner before an application for funding is submitted.  One organisation in the partnership will act as the lead partner. This organisation will be the primary point of contact between the partners and SECAD Partnership.  The application will be submitted by the lead partner.

An overview of CFI Cross Border Partnerships can be viewed through clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/1F_hULvE2C8.

Funding

Interested organisations may apply for funding up to €2,650 (€5,300 per partnership) or the sterling equivalent per annum.

•      Up to €2,000 programme funding per organisation

•      Up to €650 funding for travel per organisation

Timeframe for the delivery of the CFI Cross Border Partnership project

During 2026, each partnership will deliver 2 programmes.  The deadline for completion of the first programme will be Friday, 27th March 2026.

Online information session

We will be holding an information session for organisations who would like to hear more about the CFI Cross Border Partnerships funding and what delivering a project will entail.

We will cover how to complete the application form, highlighting key sections and the essential information applicants should include. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about the CFI Cross Border Partnerships and the application process.

Information session

Date: Thursday, 20 November 2025

Time: 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Click on the link to register to attend on the online information session:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Z10M_krRSRKyzq2u2XB1-A 

Applicant Organisation Criteria

Organisations must:

•    Be community-led organisations with a legal status and appropriate governance structure

•    Be experienced in the management of public funds which support social inclusion initiatives

•    Currently employ and manage professionals with community development experience

•    Have experience of working with the target group identified

•    Be supporting other broader community initiatives through their work

•    Provide supports across communities irrespective of age, race or creed

How to apply

Click on the link to access the guidelines and application form:

www.healthycommunities.ie/cfi-apply

For information, please contact Sinéad Conroy in SECAD Partnership:

E: sconroy@secad.ie

M: +353 (0)87 354 3606

The Good Relations Awards 2026 are now officially open!

These awards are a unique opportunity to shine a light on the dedicated individuals, groups and projects working tirelessly to build lasting peace throughout the region. Whether through community engagement, education, cultural initiatives or cross-community collaboration, these efforts deserve recognition and celebration.

Submit your nomination here: https://goodrelationsawards.com/

The deadline for nominations is Friday, 19 December 2025, so please, if you know any individual or group you believe deserves special recognition, nominate them before than.

For further information visit Good Relations Awards 2026 Now Open for Nominations | Community Relations Council .

Help us honour those making a real difference—nominate today and be part of the celebration of peacebuilding and good relations.

Multi Annual Arts Grants

Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Multi-Annual Arts Grant is offered every two years and supports arts organisations within the borough in creating programmes which benefit local residents.

Who can apply?

Non-profit making Arts Organisations based in the borough of Ards and North Down.

For full eligibility requirements, please read the Criteria and Guidance Notes carefully.

Full Criteria details and Application Forms will be available HERE when applications are open for 2026/28

What is available?

A maximum grant of £5,000 per annum is available.

Application Deadline:

Applications for 2026 - 2028 will close on: Monday 12 January 2026, 12noon (sharp)

Eligibility Criteria

This funding stream is for non-profit making Arts Organisations based in the borough of Ards and North Down. 

For full eligibility requirements, please read the Criteria and Guidance Notes carefully.

How do I apply?

Please read the full Multi-Annual Arts Grant Criteria document (available below) before completing your application.

Application to the Multi-Annual Arts Grant is by an application form which can be downloaded below when the applications open.

Completed application forms must be emailed to the address below.

Email: artsgrants@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk 

Please download Multi-Annual Arts Grant Guidance Notes here:

Applications available to download from the application open date.

Please download Multi-Annual Arts Grant Application Pack here:

Available to download from the application open date.

Further Information

If you require further information, or require assistance with your application form, please contact Ards Arts Centre at: artsgrants@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk 

Voices from the Frontline

Rosa’s Voices from the Frontline fund, now in its eighth year of running, offers  grants of up to £10,000 over 18 months to women’s and girls’ organisations to support campaigning and influencing work  that enables women and girls to use their voice to achieve change. 

Rosa is proud to champion the campaigning and influencing work that women’s and girls’ organisations do, as we recognise that every progress in culture, law and practice in women’s and girls’ lives over the last two hundred years has been pioneered by women and girls, organising and mobilising. 

Women’s and girls’ organisations are at the forefront of addressing social issues. We believe change comes about when women and girls who have lived experience of injustice and inequality get heard. 

However, there remains a critical need for funding for women’s and girls’ organisations to deliver activism and campaigning to raise awareness of the issues women and girls face. This is why Voices from the Frontline exists. 

The deadline for applications is 4pm on Tuesday 9th December. You need to submit your application form and video by this date.

Please see the application guidance, FAQs and eligibility criteria below. 

‘How to apply’ webinars

You may also wish to join us at one of the ‘How to Apply’ webinars on: 

• Monday 10th November 10.30 – 11.30 am – Register here

• Thursday 27th November 2.00-3.00pm – Register here

If you are not able to attend either of these dates, please get in touch and we can share the webinar recording after 10th November. 

For more information and to apply, please visit Voices from the Frontline - Rosa

Cash for Kids: Mission Christmas

Mission Christmas offer gifts or gift vouchers for children living in poverty at Christmas. Applications can be made on behalf of children from a recognised referral source such as professionals within a governing body (e.g., social services, GP, teacher etc.), from a registered charity or community organisation with a formal constitution / governance document and safe-guarding policy, and CICs.  The supported children (aged 0 up to and including 18 years old) will be at risk of waking up to no presents on Christmas morning. 

To apply please visit Mission Christmas Application - Cash for Kids

The Digital Inclusion Fund

At Fight for Sight, we believe blindness or vision loss shouldn’t be a barrier to opportunity. Yet the number of people in employment remains stubbornly low: fewer than 1 in 3 blind or vision impaired people in the UK is in paid work. The impact of this is devastating – economically, socially and in terms of well-being.

Technology and digital literacy are unlocking opportunities in employment but too few blind and vision impaired people have access to consistent, high quality training and support to set them up for success. Whilst the Access to Work (ATW) scheme provides essential access to hardware, software and training once someone is in work, there is huge unmet need amongst people who are getting themselves ready for the workplace, applying for jobs or adjusting to new roles or to changes in their vision.

Thriving in the workplace requires blind and vision impaired people to stay abreast of the latest developments, identify and communicate their access requirements and stay productive as workplaces continue to evolve.

We don’t believe that digital skills and confidence is a ‘nice to have’. We want to fund projects that deliver a step-change in people’s ability to know what’s out there, how to access and use it and how to take control of their own digital development. This is likely to lead to improved employment outcomes and more robust pathways into work and beyond.

Purpose of the fund: To improve access to employment for blind and vision impaired people by driving digital inclusion at crucial points as people start to get themselves work ready and start or develop their careers.
Maximum funding per project: £30,000
Project duration: 12 – 36 months
Deadline: 6th January, Midday, 2026

For more information, please visit Fight for Sight - The Digital Inclusion Fund

LCCC Grants now opened

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is pleased to announce the launch of its latest round of community funding totalling £483,000, with applications opening on Monday 3 November and closing on Friday 28 November 2025, 4pm. 

The funding programmes include the Community Support Grant, Community Festivals Fund and a range of Arts Grants, bursaries and awards, all designed to empower local groups and organisations to deliver meaningful projects that enhance community life and cultural wellbeing across the council area.

In addition to these core grants, the council is also launching two one-off funding opportunities:

• Inclusive Communities Fund – aimed at supporting the delivery of programmes and events to promote community integration and inclusion, and 

• Community Cohesion Fund – focused on strengthening relationships between diverse communities and fostering mutual understanding through partnership delivery.

Three information workshops have been scheduled to guide groups through the application process. These will take place on:

• Monday 10th November at 7pm at ISLAND Arts Centre

• Thursday 13th November at 7pm at Moneyreagh Community Centre

• Wednesday 19th November at 7pm via Teams

Councillor Tim Mitchell, Chair of the council’s Communities & Wellbeing Committee welcomed the launch, stating:

“Our community and arts organisations are the heartbeat of Lisburn & Castlereagh. This funding represents a significant investment in the people and projects that bring our communities together, celebrate our diversity, and support those most in need. I encourage all eligible groups to attend the workshops and apply for these valuable grants.”

Find all the necessary forms and detailed guidelines here: https://www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/w/community-grants

For further information, please contact Community Services community.services@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk or call 028 9244 7713.

ABC Funding Opportunities

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council is offering financial assistance to eligible groups in the voluntary, community and social

enterprise sector for the period 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2027 for:-

•Running costs (for eligible organisations)

•Programmes

•Events

Funding is available through the following grant programmes:

•Community Grants

•Arts, Culture and Events Grants

•Good Relations Grants

•International Linkages Grant

Applications are open at 9.00am on Monday 3 November to 12 noon Friday 28 November 2025. For more information, please visit FundingABC - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Kristina Martin Charitable Trust Accepting Applications

Grants are available for UK-registered charities whose work supports people with mental health issues and addresses issues such as, but not exclusively, suicide, online bullying, grief, and fostering hope and resilience.

In this funding round, the Kristina Martin Charitable Trust has made £400,000 available, split across the following themes:

• Breaking the link between homelessness and poor mental health.

• Reduction in the effects of social media on mental health. 

• Reduction of Social Isolation. 

• Improving mental health outcomes for children and young people.

A total of £100,000 is available for projects in each funding theme. The Trustees aim to provide grants on an unrestricted basis where possible.

The deadline for applications is 12 December 2025. For more information, please visit Home

Applications Invited to Annual Funding Programme for NI Arts Organisations

Grants are available for organisations in all artforms and practices to support core and programming costs under the Annual Funding Programme provided by Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI).

The programme is accepting applications from the following:

• Non-profit distributing organisations that can demonstrate that they require a year-round resource to deliver the programme.

• Commercial organisations if the proposed programme is primarily for the benefit of the public and where there are plans to re-invest any surplus into a similar and ongoing arts programme.

All new applicant organisations to the programme must have been in receipt of a single award of at least £10,001 from ACNI since 1 April 2023 in order to be eligible for the scheme.

No minimum or maximum value of grant is specified. Organisations may apply for one year funding only.

Within the overall grant, funding is also available for successful applicants who can clearly demonstrate that additional costs such as sign language provision, translation and carers' costs are associated with the delivery of their project to relevant people as defined under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

New applicants must contact the relevant art form officer by 5pm on 24 November 2025, at the latest, to discuss a possible application.

The deadline for applications is 8 December 2025 (noon). For more information, please visit Annual Funding Programme 2026/27 | Arts Council NI

PEACEPLUS Change Maker Programme Pauses to Applications

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has announced a pause on all applications to the PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding programme while it reviews and simplifies the application process.

PEACEPLUS is a European Union funding programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, building upon the work of the previous PEACE and INTERREG Programmes.

Change Makers is for partnership projects focused on cross-community relations and cross-border collaboration as part of the wider PEACEPLUS programme. The total budget for the programme is €40 million to be distributed in tranches between 2025 and 2027.

Further details on the revised application process and opening date will be provided once available. Change Maker Funding Programme | SEUPB

Funding to Support Historic Designed Landscapes Across the UK

The Gardens Trust is offering grants of up to £8,000 for volunteer groups across the UK to help seed-fund projects that will improve, enhance, and support historic designed landscapes

The Gardens Trust Community Grants Fund will support both capital and revenue costs related to historic designed landscape projects. Priority will be given to:

• Seed-funding or pump-priming for a sustainable activity, such as a restoration plan, Friends Group set-up costs, research project, or volunteer training schemes.

• Applications that reflect the Trust priorities around conservation, knowledge sharing, and encouraging participation and enjoyment of historic landscapes.

Preference will be given to smaller charities and projects that will be completed within 18 months of the application.

The deadline for applications is 14 November 2025. For more information, please visit The Gardens Trust Community Grant - The Gardens Trust

Funding to Support Disadvantaged Adults Move Toward Employment (UK)

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for UK registered charities for specific projects that improve communication skills for disadvantaged adults and supports NEET people into employment.

The Thomas Wall Trust views communication skills as critical capabilities for people who want to improve their employment prospects, self-confidence, resilience, and life chances.

The funding is for registered UK registered charities with an annual turnover of between £25,000 and £500,000 that are working to develop communication skills for people (aged 18 years and older) from disadvantaged groups who want to improve their employment prospects. Beneficiaries must gain at least one accredited vocational qualification during delivery.

Proposals are welcome which target people experiencing multiple deprivation or other groups demonstrably facing major hurdles to employment, especially women, people with physical, mental, or learning disabilities, and refugees.

Priority will be given to match funded projects and self-sustainable projects, with a view to becoming less reliant on grants in the future.

Grants cannot be used for capital costs.

There is a two-stage application process.

The deadline for stage one applications is 22 December 2025 for consideration at the March 2026 meeting.

For more information please visit Thomas Wall Trust | Thomas Wall Trust

The Rural Action Awards for 2025/2026 are open for applications.

The Awards offer rural community-based organisations in Northern Ireland or the border region of Ireland the opportunity to apply for and secure £1000 or €1000 towards their volunteer led community action project.

CURRENT CLOSING DATE:

20th NOVEMBER 2025

What is a Rural Action Award?

Our Rural Action Awards scheme for this year will again support 12 volunteer led community action projects up to March 2026.

As before, the scheme is open to constituted rural community-based organisations including charities, not for profit community groups, sporting and cultural organisations, heritage groups, Parent Teacher Associations, youth groups/clubs and social enterprises.

The scheme seeks to support practical, tangible and timebound projects where the project must complete within 12 weeks.

What is different for this years Awards?

This years Awards will operate 3 calls for applications in the financial year to end March 2026.  After each call a random selection will identify 4 recipients.  Upon successful completion of verification, each will receive £1000/€1000 towards their chosen community project.

The current call for applications will close on 20th November 2025.

Rural Action Awards Terms & Conditions.

• A bonafide rural community organisation

• Evidence of governing document can be supplied if successful

• Based in rural Northern Ireland or the border region of Ireland

• Must be able to use the Award within 12 weeks of receipt

• Registered bank account in name of applicant organisation

• VIEW FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

“Rural Action was established out of a continued desire to make a positive contribution to the everyday lives of rural communities.

Our strapline is ‘Making it Happen’ and we hope that these modest awards, can in some way, contribute to doing just that, to help to support rural communities to make things happen locally”.

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS

To apply to the Rural Action Awards simply follow the link below:

APPLY TO THE RURAL ACTION AWARDS SCHEME

Boxing is Love Equipment Fund

Over the next three months, the Boxing is Love Equipment Fund will be giving away free punching bags and offering an additional £10,000 worth of high-quality boxing bags at heavily subsidised rates to UK gyms, charities, and youth organisations that share our values. The application form below includes guidance to help you complete each section with confidence. 

Applications

• 6 October – 10 November 2025 (9:00pm GMT)
• Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 10 December 2025.

For who?

This fund is open to UK-based boxing gyms, charities, and youth-focused organisations that can demonstrate how their work reflects the values of Boxing is Love.

What happens if my application is successful?

• Pre-filled boxing bags will be delivered directly to your gym within one week of notification.

• The Boxing is Love team will also arrange a visit to record a short video interview about your work and impact.

For more information and to apply, please visit BOXING IS LOVE FUND | Boxing is Love

US/NI 250 funding programme is open for applications

In April the Minister announced funding of £250,000 for organisations to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Applications are now open for £150,000 of this funding to support organisations and individuals across Northern Ireland to celebrate the anniversary next year.

Minister Lyons said: 

“This is a great opportunity for Northern Ireland to celebrate the strong and enduring links that connect us with the United States and have shaped both our countries in lasting ways.

“This is an open call for applications from groups and individuals for activities which will commemorate events or people from here who were involved in this period of American history.

“This initiative, delivered through the Ulster-Scots Agency, will enable local organisations and individuals to tell their stories and celebrate the deep historic connections that exist, ensuring that Northern Ireland’s role is marked.”

The fund will be administered by the Ulster-Scots Agency on behalf of the Department for Communities and will provide financial support for a wide range of projects. This includes community events, cultural exhibitions, educational programmes, storytelling that reflect the shared history and links between Northern Ireland and the United States.

Applications will open on Monday 20 October and for more information please visit the Ulster Scots Agency website(external link opens in a new window / tab). 

New JobStart scheme announced

The JobStart Scheme provides funding from the Department for Communities to allow employers to create new job opportunities to help those who are currently unemployed or economically inactive, in receipt of working age benefits and wish to enter or re-enter the workplace.

Employers in Northern Ireland can receive 100% funding to create job opportunities for 16 – 65 year-olds who are unemployed or economically inactive and need support to enter or re-enter the labour market.

Funding for each JobStart opportunity will cover:

• the relevant National Living Wage for up to 25 hours per week*

• the associated employer National Insurance contributions

• an employer's minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions.

*Employers can offer additional hours but will have to fund the additional hours themselves

There will also be funding available to support participants to develop their employability and occupational skills and to help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their JobStart opportunity.

A support grant of £750 is available for 6-month opportunities and £1,000 for 9-month opportunities. 

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 31 December 2025.

For more information please visit Apply for JobStart Scheme funding | Department for Communities

Ulster Garden Villages reopens its grantmaking

Based on the current critical issues facing our communities, for the next 18-24 months Ulster Garden Villages is focusing its support on the areas of Poverty and Homelessness.

Grants range from £750 to, in exception, £1,000,000, depending on the project, the proposed impact and each charity’s size and scope of work.

Open to registered charities, their preferred projects will demonstrate active participation and self-help. They should be innovative and developmental with an achievable, practical and sustainable objective.

Accepting Expressions of Interest from 1 November to 30 November 2025.

For more information and to apply, please visit How to Apply for a UGV Charitable Grant in NI