Core Funding Opens for Northern Ireland Community Relations Organisations

An annual support programme for organisations promoting community relations across Northern Ireland is open for applications.

Administered by the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council (NICRC), the Core Funding Scheme provides support for organisations considered to be of strategic importance in promoting community relations across Northern Ireland. The programme has an annual budget of approximately £1.2 million, with approximately £600,000 expected to be available for new applications in 2027/28. Awards generally range from £25,000 to £85,000 per year, with an average award of £45,000. The support is intended to contribute towards salary and organisational running costs.

Eligible applicants are not-for-profit organisations considered strategically important in promoting community relations work across Northern Ireland.

Proposed work must have a clear good relations purpose, address an identified good relations need and directly address sectarianism. Applicants must also demonstrate how their work will contribute towards one or more of the Together: Building a United Community strategic priorities.

The deadline for applications is 12 November 2026. For more information, please visit Core Funding Scheme | Community Relations Council