The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT), an independent Quaker trust, makes grants to organisations and individuals working to produce positive social change through their charitable work.

After a long pause, the Northern Ireland Programme has reopened for applications.

This programme offers grants (there is no set amount) for UK registered charities whose work to promote peace, equality, inclusion and human rights contributes to the ongoing transformation of the Northern Ireland conflict.

Funding is available for work in the following priority areas:

Strengthening human rights and equality - work which:

Aims to ensure the implementation of human rights commitments by the state.
Promotes policy initiatives and advocacy campaigns aimed at achieving equity and inclusion for marginalised or minoritised communities.
Strengthens the anti-racist voice in systems of power and accountability in Northern Ireland.

Reimagining society - work which:

Fosters a positive, forward-thinking political landscape in Northern Ireland, emphasising participation, inclusion and sustainability.
Promotes inclusive, evidence-based and responsible public discourse.
Facilitates the growth of progressive social movements within Northern Ireland.

Cultivating peace and reconciliation - work which:

Promotes a shared understanding of the root causes of past violence.
Encourages groups engaged in armed struggle to take steps towards exclusively non-violent strategies and to engage in comprehensive processes of transition from paramilitarism to civilian life.
Assists communities heavily influenced by paramilitarism in cultivating democratic, anti-sectarian, and non-violent methods for expressing and managing political differences.

Applications will be considered from organisations that are registered, excepted or exempt charities based within the UK.

While the primary focus of the programme lies within Northern Ireland, the committee will consider applications for initiatives that work on an all-island basis, or that will strengthen civil society relationships on an East-West or North-South basis (in partnership with organisations in Britain and Ireland).

Local work will be supported only where it is likely to have a wider impact, for example if it is testing a model which can then be replicated, or is addressing a local issue that has wider social or political implications.

Groups who have not registered on the JRCT grants management system need to do so by 17 February 2025 in order to submit an application for the current round.

The deadline for applications is 3 March 2025 (9am).

For more information please visit Northern Ireland