Closing date 09/05/2025

Grants are available for local community groups and voluntary organisations to address digital poverty in rural communities in Northern Ireland.

The funding is intended to assist grassroots organisations in providing digital technology for the most vulnerable, promoting connectivity, community and facilitating a strong, sustainable broadband connection across rural communities in Northern Ireland.

Grants of up to £2,000 are available.

Applications will be accepted from community groups, voluntary organisations and other local, grassroots or community-led organisations with an annual income below £50,000.

The fund offers grants for projects that address digital poverty with a particular focus on older people, people on low income and people with disabilities.

In the event of oversubscription, the fund will prioritise:

Applicants who have not previously been awarded a grant from the fund.
Those who more clearly articulate the need in relation to the beneficiaries.

Applicants should note the following:

Applicants that currently hold a live Fibrus Community Fund grant and who are considering re-applying to the fund must ensure all outstanding information is provided for the current grant held. This includes details of spend and any monitoring.
In cases where broadband installation/connection is being requested, applicants should check Fibrus availability at www.fibrus.com. If their premises are not connectable/yet connectable, they should consider applying for other types of digital equipment from the fund such as laptops, visual aids etc.

Eligible Expenditure

The funding is used to support projects and activities that may, for example, include:

Projects that provide access to engage with a range of digital devices (laptops, tablets, iPads, smart phones, etc), such as a community loan facility, etc.
Projects that strengthen the capacity of individuals to use a range of available digital services, such as training workshops or courses.
Projects that provide access to enhance connections with others, such as a community-use internet hub, or internet café, etc.

Priority will be given to projects that:

Focus on the positive contribution of people within the community, and support those most in need of support to use and access digital technologies.
Intend to build on the assets within the community, to support those who have faced digital challenges.
Focus on the need of their beneficiaries in terms of digital poverty, as well as focus on what is good about their community, and how this project will build on previous successes as a community, and support the beneficiary/beneficiaries in the longer term.

Projects are expected to commence from early June 2025.

Available Grants - Community Foundation Northern Ireland

The Fibrus Community Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland