Groups Supporting Families of Convicted Individuals in Northern Ireland Invited to Apply for Project Funding

Funding is available to community groups across the island of Ireland to facilitate projects to improve the system of support for families affected by convictions and imprisonment.

St Stephen's Green Trust is inviting applications to its Family Matters programme, which prioritises families in the criminal justice system, aiming to reduce harm, aid rehabilitation, and strengthen family bonds to lower reoffending risks, while considering the best interests of both families and prisoners.

The programme supports non-profit groups across the island of Ireland through two strands of initiatives:

• Under Strand 1, groups can apply for grants to support work which tests new approaches, adds value to current family support work and develops pathways to knowledge and learning around how to improve the situation for families. The focus is on children and families with a loved one affected by convictions and imprisonment as well as developing and strengthening systems which acknowledge prisoners as a family member.

• Strand 2 funds groups which are working strategically towards the programme outcomes. Funded groups should have a good understanding of the context for family support systems in the criminal justice sector and have ambitions for improvement using a systems change approach.

The following levels of funding are available:

• Strand 1 - groups can apply for one-year grants of up to £6,000 (€7,000).

• Strand 2 - groups can apply for up to £21,500 (€25,000) per annum for one to three years.

Groups should only apply under one strand unless there are particular reasons for applying under both strands - for example, as part of a consortium.

The deadline for applications is 9 September 2024.

For more information, please visit St Stephens Green Trust – grant programmes: families affected by imprisonment (ssgt.ie)