BBC Children in Need Funding Opportunities

/

We fund projects and organisations across the UK. We aim to fund a balance of grants across the UK that address the greatest needs of vulnerable children and young people. To achieve this, we consider geography as part of our decision-making process. This is to ensure we are funding fairly and can spread our available funding as broadly as possible and based on need. Our funding priorities will be reviewed at least annually and may differ depending on where you are in the UK. See our local funding priorities below:

 

These have recently been updated (October 2026)

 

Northern Ireland:

 

We will fund Projects and organisations to:

 

  • Improve the life chances of children by strengthening early years support in communities impacted by poverty and deprivation.

  • Enable projects and organisations rooted in communities to respond and adapt to the local needs of children and young people living in areas impacted by poverty and deprivation.

  • Improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people through early intervention, prevention, and relationship-based support.

  • Create safe, inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ young people, led by those with lived experience.

  • Promote social inclusion, community cohesion, and positive cross-community relations among young people living in communities experiencing segregation and division, or in areas with limited opportunity for cross-community engagement.

  • Support Black, Asian and minority communities, including refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people to thrive, feel a sense of belonging and access opportunities that enable them to reach their full potential.

  • Improve outcomes for deaf, blind, partially sighted, disabled, and neurodiverse children and young people, particularly those with the most complex needs and those in their early years.

  • Enable children and young people, particularly those whose voices are underrepresented, to shape services, systems and decisions that impact their lives.

  • Support boys and young men to thrive, fulfil their potential, make positive life choices, be safe online and contribute to their communities.

  • Support girls and young women to strengthen their emotional wellbeing, confidence and sense of agency so they can build healthy relationships, exercise positive life choices and overcome barriers to achieving their potential.

  • Improve outcomes and provide opportunities for children and young people affected by complex family circumstances (such as domestic violence, family breakdown, hidden homelessness, young carers, care experienced, parent in prison or neglect and trauma) to develop positive relationships with trusted adults, peers and support networks.

 

Full details are available on our website.  In terms of our local priorities they can be found online here: What we fund - BBC Children in Need and organisations wishing to apply should register for a pre-application session with us using this link: Please Register – BBC Children in Need Pre-Application Advice – Northern Ireland. – Microsoft Teams Just a reminder this is a rolling programme, so applications are welcome at any stage.