The Connect Fund awards up to £1m to strengthen civic East-West collaboration on matters of shared interest, including mutual challenges and opportunities across a range of sectors that directly affect communities in Northern Ireland. The Government supports an inclusive United Kingdom and acknowledges the importance of bringing together community groups across the United Kingdom to better improve the lives of all communities in Northern Ireland. The Connect Fund will connect the great ideas, people and solutions in Northern Ireland with those across the United Kingdom to address mutual challenges and grasp shared opportunities.

Opening date: 12 June 2025, 3:00pm
Closing date: 10 February 2027, 5:00pm

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; or
Facilitate positive and constructive dialogue on shared opportunities/challenges facing communities in the UK;

Initially there will be two rounds of funding:

Round 1: 2025/26 - Up to £500,000
Round 2: 2026/27 - Up to £500,000

Applicants can bid for projects from £300 to £50,000. Funding can be provided for both standalone/one off projects (e.g. attending a conference or facilitating a visit) or for a more recurrent project (e.g. establishing a UK-wide forum for community organisations). Funding, however, cannot be carried across rounds. That means the funding bid for round 1 must be fully drawn down during 2025/26.