The Government’s £1 million Connect Fund aims to bring together community groups across the UK to better improve the lives of all communities in Northern Ireland.

After being paused for a month, the Fund has reopened with a reduced maximum grant (from £50,000 to £9,999) for the remainder of Round 1, in line with the availability of remaining funds.

There is a total funding pot of £1 million with £500,000 for each round:

Round 1 will run from 12 June 2025 to 30 April 2026.
Round 2 will run from 1 May 2026 to 31 March 2027.

The funding is for voluntary and community sector organisations, civic society and national representative bodies including for underrepresented voices.

Applications must have a clear East-West lens and deliver on one or more of the following objectives:

Strengthen East-West connections by developing long lasting civic relationships.
Propose an original approach to developing East-West connections.
Support the development of cultural, sports and people-to-people links.
Build leadership capability opportunities for community leaders on an East-West basis.
Facilitate positive and constructive dialogue on shared opportunities/challenges facing communities in the UK.

Proposed activities must directly benefit Northern Ireland; however, activities are not restricted by location and can occur in Northern Ireland or Great Britain provided stakeholders from Northern Ireland are involved.

The funding can be used for standalone activities as well as longer term proposals that facilitate ongoing engagement between civic organisations on a national and sectoral level.

Funding can enhance pre-existing projects or establish new opportunities for engagement.

Although this is a rolling programme, with applications submitted throughout the two years it is running, rounds may close early if all funding has been drawn down.

For more information, please visit Connect Fund - GOV-UK Find a grant