Grand Choice 2023

Grand Choice is a Participatory Budgeting initiative which means that local people get to decide how public funds are used to address needs in their area. Community Planning Partners have pooled their resources to fund community projects.

Local people with a valid email address and Castlereagh South postcode can apply for up to £1,000 for a project they think will benefit their area of Castlereagh South - and best of all, it is the local residents who decide which projects should go ahead!

Your project should take place between  and must be within Castlereagh South District Electoral Area. This includes Beechill, Cairnshill, Carryduff East, Carryduff West, Galwally, Knockbracken, Newtownbreda

Stage 1.  Application Form 

Generating Ideas and Apply Stage – where groups complete a short application form outlining their project idea.

If you decide to apply for funding and use your personal contact details in the Stage 1 application form. This information will be stored in a safe place and used to contact you about the application. Your full name will not be used in publicity material and contact details will not be shared.

If you are under 18 and you decide to add your personal contact details to the form you must ask a parent/ guardian/ carer to complete the online consent.  It must be submitted by 17th September 2023.

When you submit your entry, we will check if it meets with our themes – we might give you a call for some further information.

We aim to let groups know if they’ve been shortlisted by 21st September or as soon as possible thereafter.

The shortlisted projects will be required to exhibit their proposal at a Community Decision Event on Saturday 21st October 2023. 

Stage 2. Community Decision Event

At the Community Decision Event in October you will tell the voters what you plan to do and what you hope to achieve as they visit your stand. All you need to do is tell them some information about what you do, what the project is about and how this will be good for the Lisburn North area. You can do this by using pictures, posters and/or display boards etc.

Your views, ideas and proposal may appear in reports and press releases once that information is made public.

Voting Process

The people attending the Community Decision Event will vote on which projects should be funded. They will be required to vote for 10 projects.

You can apply for up to £1,000 for a local project.

Key themes

Your project must demonstrate how it relates to one or more of the Take 5 Ways To Wellbeing themes:

• Connect – with the people around you and keep in touch with each other

• Be Active – to help us feel good both physically and mentally

• Take Notice – to ensure the community is safe 

• Keep Learning – new things that give us a sense of achievement, enjoyment and increased confidence

• Give – doing something that gives back to our community and help each other

For more information and to apply, please visit Grand Choice in Castlereagh South (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk)

Christmas Festive Fund

Council’s Christmas Festive Fund is now open for applications, closing date 12 noon on Friday 22nd September 2023:

The Christmas Fund will support community associations from Towns, Villages and hamlets to help celebrate Christmas.  Please note that only one community group per settlement will be successful and projects/events must take place between 25th Nov and 16th Dec 2023.  Please note that if your community organisation is situated within Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Coleraine & Limavady and receive a Council Christmas event, then your group is unable to apply.

Fund A – Applications for settlements with a population of 1000 can apply for a range of costs relating to festive entertainment, priority will be given to projects that promote wide community involvement for outdoor events – up to £2500.

Fund B – Applications for settlements with a population between 100-1000 can apply for a range of costs relating to festive entertainment, priority will be given to projects that promote wide community involvement for outdoor events celebrating the festive period - up to £750

For more information and to apply please click on our council website – www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk  or to discuss your application, you can directly contact the Events team – Tracey Freeman – tracey.freeman@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Power NI's Brighter Communities

Our Brighter Communities programme energises innovative and emerging community groups, teams and projects with £1000 of funding awarded each month. Since 2018 we have contributing over £40,000 to our communities and we are still going!

Applications for the month are now open, and we welcome all communities to apply using the form below. Successful applicants will be contacted using the details provided and will have 72 hours to respond and accept the £1,000 funding. All applications must comply with the Brighter Communities terms & conditions.

Brighter Communities | Community Funding | Power NI

Small Grants Programme 2023-2024

The Small Grants Programme has been set up to allow young people from Education Authority Youth Service (EAYS) registered and verified groups to apply for grants for projects to Support the Growth and Participation of young people.

The Small Grants Programme for 2023-2024 is to enable young people to apply for funding to support other young people in their communities to:

• Promote youth participation, leadership and volunteering

• Build and develop life skills

This year, there are two options. Groups can apply for a maximum of £500 for a one-off event or a maximum of £1500 for a group work programme with multiple sessions. All projects must demonstrate young people’s involvement in planning and delivery.

The closing date for applications is 20th October 2023.

Any applications received on or before 4th August will be assessed and notified by the end of August 2023. Any applications received after 4th August will be assessed and notified by the end of November 2023. All projects must be completed by 31st March 2024.

If you would like to make an application in the 2023-2024 programme, please ensure your organisation is registered with the EA Youth Service and have received a verification visit. Registration is open all year round and details on how to register can be found here.

Youth Service: Small Grants Programme
Education Authority
Grahamsbridge Road
Dundonald
BT16 2HS

Email: sgp@eani.org.uk
Phone: 02890566429

Elevate Community Mentoring & Grants Programme is returning

CDHN's Public Health Agency funded Elevate Community Mentoring and Grants Programme 2023-24 is coming back. If you are interested in being part of this year's Programme and want to find out more, sign up for an information session where the Elevate Team will provide an overview of the programme and answer any questions you have.

Monday 24 July 7pm to 8pm

Tuesday 1 August 11am to 12pm

For more information please contact The Elevate Programme – developing skills in your community | Community Development and Health Network (cdhn.org)

Road Safety Trust

The main aim of the Small Grants Programme is to improve road safety at a local level.

The programme has been designed after reviewing our first four years of funding and listening to the views of stakeholders. This told us that there was a need for funding for smaller, local projects with a practical focus.

We are looking for measurable interventions that link to local priorities and show a proposed link to reducing casualties either directly or through clear interim measures.

Eligible projects

Eligible projects are pilots/trials, expanding successful trials across a new area, and/or the evaluation of interventions. Projects should have the potential for being brought to scale - with the ultimate goal of reducing deaths and injuries both locally and across the UK.

Who can apply

Local Authorities, Police Forces, Fire and Rescue Services or UK-based registered charities, legally constituted not-for-profit social enterprises or community interest companies can apply.

What’s available

The maximum project length under this grant programme is 24 months. In 2023, the minimum amount is £10,000 and the maximum is £50,000 over two years in total. All small grants projects should have other sources of funding, cash or in-kind.

In making decisions, we will take a strategic approach so that a range of different types of project are funded that have the potential to improve road safety outcomes. All projects are expected to produce a report and describe how it will be shared and promoted.

For more information and to apply, please visit Small Grants — Road Safety Trust

Financial Assistance Call 2 2023/2024

Financial Assistance Call 2 2023/2024 is opening on 13 March 2023 at 12 noon, due to the short duration of the opening for the King Charles III Coronation Fund, all theme guidance notes have been provided early. Guidance notes can be accessed via the Electronic Grant Management System (EGMS), which can be accessed here or through the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council web page under Grants and Funding. However, you will be unable to start completing an application until the Call opens at 12 noon, Monday 13 March 2023.

Themes available:

Open to Community Voluntary Sector (ALL)

• Community Events & Festivals (Projects running between 01 October 2023 – 18 March 2024)

• King Charles III Coronation Fund (Call only open for three weeks until 03 April 2023 and is for projects running between 01 and 31 May 2023)

• Good Relations

• PCSP Community Safety and Support

• Sports Development Minor Capital Items

• Sports Programmes

Open to Community Voluntary Sector (ALL) and Business

• Arts and Culture Projects

Open to organisations responsible for Sports Facilities

• Sports Facility Capital

Opening date: Monday 13th March 2023 at 12pm

Closing date: Various – Please refer to theme guidance or the electronic grant management system for theme closing date.

Online Funding Workshops

Online workshops providing an overview of the themes, key changes for 2023/2024 financial assistance and guidance on procurement will be available on the following dates:

• Wednesday 15 March 2023 at 10am

• Wednesday 15 March 2023 at 7pm

• Thursday 16 March 2023 at 2pm

To book a place on one of the workshops please click here. A link to the online workshop is provided automatically by Eventbrite upon registration.

Please note: All themes are subject to funding availability. Late application submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Community Grants Programme

The overall aim of the Halifax Foundation is:

To support charitable organisations within Northern Ireland to enable people, who are disadvantaged or with special needs, to participate actively in their communities.

The Foundation has two main target areas to which it seeks to allocate funds:

• Social and Community Needs

• Education and Training

Types of costs funded include - materials and equipment, contribution towards salary costs, overheads, transport costs, volunteer expenses, training/tutor costs, activity costs and refurbishment costs.

For more information and to apply, please visit Funding Opportunities 2023 | Halifax Foundation NI

Community Technical Assistance Grants

Grants are available for community groups in Antrim and Newtownabbey to support consultancy and administration costs.

The funding is intended to cover various expenses related to project development, such as consultancy fees, statutory approval fees, public and employer's liability insurance, and volunteer expenses.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available and projects must take place between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.

Grants may be used to meet the following costs:

• Consultancy fees (business plans / plans / feasibility studies / audits /options appraisals/economic appraisals/ environmental assessments, etc).

• Statutory approval fees - up to a maximum of £300.

• Public and employer's liability insurance.

• Volunteer expenses (up to a maximum of £10 per day: ie hospitality or travel to a meeting/conference/event). Proof of expenses will be required.

For more information and to apply, please visit Grant Manager (eformz.info)

Council Grant Aid Programme

Applications for Mid Ulster Council's Grant Aid Programme 2023/2024 have opened, closing date for majority of programmes is 16th March 2023 -

• Small Development Grant

• Community/Sports Venue and Facilities Grant

• Strategic Arts and Culture Development Grant

• Strategic Sports Development Grant

• Strategic Community Development Grant

• Strategic Events Grant

• Good Relations Grant (rolling programme)

• Community Festival Grant (rolling programme)

• Sports Representatives Grant Club/Teams (rolling programme)

• Sports representatives Individual Grant (rolling programme)

• Irish Language Activity Funding Grant

• Deontas do Ghníomhaíochtaí Ghaeilge

• MUDC Regional and Minority Language Bursary

• Sparánacht do Theanga Mionlaigh nó Réigiúnda CCLU

There is also a new online system to help improve the process for all those groups and clubs applying for funding. Give your project a boost by visiting https://www.midulstercouncil.org/grants

B&Q Foundation Grants

The Foundation is an independent charity, set up in 2020, to build on B&Q’s commitment to make a positive difference in the communities we serve. Learn more about the B&Q Foundation and apply for funding.

The B&Q Foundation supports registered charities with a combination of grants, volunteering time and home improvement resources. It concentrates its efforts on local charities helping to create better, safes places for people who need them most.

The B&Q Foundation supports UK registered charities with a combination of grants, volunteering time and home improvement resources. From improving the safety of a home for someone with a disability, to providing residential support for people with no home of their own – the organisations it backs are making a difference to those who don’t have access to what most of us take for granted. And that helps build better communities for us all.

Grants of up to £5000 are available. For more information and to apply, please visit Apply For a Grant | B&Q Foundation (bqfoundation.org.uk)

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon - Coronation Community Event Grant

Grants are available to support the delivery of community events in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon that will celebrate the coronation of His Majesty the King in May 2023.

The funding is intended to provide financial support to local voluntary and community groups wishing to deliver events to celebrate the coronation during the period Friday 5th to Monday 8th May 2023.

Grants of up to £400 are available.

Who Can Apply

Applications are accepted from organisations that:

• Are community based and have 90% of beneficiaries in the Council area.

• Are not for personal profit.

Eligible Expenditure

The funding is used to support local, small-scale community events or activities to celebrate the Coronation.

The types of event the Council may fund include:

• Tea parties.

• Exhibitions.

• Talks.

• Social events for young and old.

For more information and to apply, please visit Grant Manager (eformz.info)

Small Grant and Technical Assistance Grant Aid Programme 2023-2024

The aim of the Community Development Grant Aid Programme is to provide financial support for projects which have Community Development as a primary objective that improve the lives of local people. Projects must develop a strong, healthy and vibrant community whilst encouraging maximum participation in community life by all residents.

Who can apply?

Only properly constituted community, voluntary & charitable groups can apply to the grant aid scheme and must be able to meet the following conditions. The group must:

 Be comprised of at least six members.

 Be democratically accountable through regular public meetings.

 Hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM).

 Be properly constituted and include a decision making process, and aims and activities that are acceptable to the Council.

 Be managed by a publicly elected committee; the office bearing positions of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer must be held as a minimum.

 Demonstrate a fair and equitable ethos through their established aims and objectives in accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998).

 Demonstrate that proposed activities are not a duplication of other activities.

 Produce an annual statement of independently verified or certified accounts, or a bank statement for new groups only.

 Agree to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's monitoring, evaluation, and training procedures if required.

Projects must take place between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, any activity outside these timescales will not be eligible for funding.

How to apply?

Applications will be available for completion online on the Grant Manager system at https://antrimnewtownabbey.eformz.info from 12noon on Wednesday 15 February 2023.

The Small Grant & Technical Assistance Grant will be available on a rolling basis subject to the availability of funding and will open in February each year. If you are applying for the Small Grant please apply up to 8 weeks in advance of your project/activity starting or when your insurance is due for renewal as all applications need to be considered at two Council meetings.

For further information, please contact: Kerry Brady – T: 07739 609 902 E: Kerry.Brady@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Jonathan Henderson – T: 07733 263 202 E: Jonathan.Henderson@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Keadue Community Grants Fund

Keadue Community Grants Fund was established by a local family to provide support to local organisations tackling the growing social need in Derry City and surrounding Waterside areas.

With these grants we aim to fund local organisations who are already making a difference in the lives of people who are struggling with difficult life issues and their subsequent effects.

Grants can be used to fund any of the following activities:

• An existing support programme

• Creation of a new programme

• Staff costs including salaries, core costs and specialist training

• Small scale capital costs including premises refurbishment and the

• purchase of equipment

• Events and awareness raising activities

• Capacity building activities to address elements of organisational sustainability

• Partnership building activities to strengthen support and impact

• Volunteer costs and associated expenses

Grants available

Grant sizes will typically be between £10k and £20k to be awarded over periods of up to two years. Organisations can re-apply in subsequent years following completion of grant evaluation and monitoring reports.

Closing date for applications is 6th March 2023. For more information and to apply, please visit Keadue Community Grants Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Grant Aid and Bursaries for 2023/24

1st Call for Applications – 2023 / 2024

Applications for the following grant aid & bursary streams opens on Monday 13 February 2023 and will close on Friday 3 March 2023 at 5pm.

 Grant Aid:

• Community & Wellbeing

• Community Premises Support

• Good Relations

• Irish in the Community

• Remembering & Commemoration – Decade of Centenaries

• Seeding

• Summer Schemes 2023 – July/August

• Ulster Scots in the Community

• Verti-Draining

Funding covers the financial year 2023 – 2024

For further information and Guidance Notes on Grant Aid Streams Open.

Bursaries 

• Irish Language (Gaeltacht, Minors, Adult, Family)

• Irish Language (Academic)

• Sport

For further information on Bursaries.  Click Here

SPAR Community Cashback Scheme

Leading convenience symbol group SPAR has launched a new £100k Community Cashback scheme which will give grants to local voluntary or community organisations and charities who need it most.

Launching today, shoppers from all over the UK can apply for a grant for an organisation or charity they feel deserves funding. All applicants need to do is share the exceptional contribution a local organisation has made to their community and what the grant would be put towards.

For more information on the scheme visit: http://www.spar.co.uk/community/community-cashback

The Community Action Fund

The Community Action Fund exists to support grassroots campaigning and community organising in the UK. 

It will provide one-off grants between £2,500 and £20,000. 

These grants are available to grassroots organisations that are building the power of their community and campaigning for long-term change. 

All successful applicants will be offered support beyond funding. This will include the Civic Power Fund Governance Hub and optional, bespoke cohort and capacity building opportunities.

The deadline is 26th February 2023.

The Community Action Fund is open to UK-based organisations that are:
‍

1. Rooted in and accountable to their community. 
   ‍

2. Hoping to achieve long-term change on issues affecting the lives of their community. 
   ‍

3. Addressing injustice by building the power of their community. For example, through community organising, campaigning, or democratic engagement. 
   ‍

4. Lacking the resources to take their vision to the next level. 
   ‍

5. Seeking to build a larger us and resisting the politics of division 

The Community Action Fund prioritises organisations led by people with lived experience of the injustice they are trying to overcome. 

For more information and to apply, please visit Community Action Fund (civicpower.org.uk)

RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Impact Grants Fund

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal was established in 2020 to raise funds for Irish children’s charities through the televised Late Late Toy Show. Since then, more than €17 million has been raised to support these charities.
The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal mission is: Inspired by children, we work to bring the magic of the Late Late Toy Show to every child in Ireland. By funding essential support, health, wellbeing, play and creativity we aim to change children’s lives for good.

In the wake of the cost-of-living crisis, increased number of refugees from Ukraine and elsewhere in the world, and the climate crisis, the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal is more important than ever.

Last year over €6,600,000 was raised and distributed in 154 grants to support more than 1.1 million children and their family members all across Ireland. Thanks to the continued generosity of the Irish public, this year the Appeal raised over €3,800,000 which will be distributed through two open grant rounds:

·        Impact Grants Round

·        Community Grants Round

Children and family focused charities working at local, regional and national level can apply for a grant under one of the following thematic pillars:

·        Addressing Essential Needs

·        Improving Health and Wellbeing

·        Creativity and Play

The Impact Grants Round is now open and is for children and family charities with an annual income of £500,000 or more and will close at 1pm on Friday 10 February 2023. For more information and to apply, please visit RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Impact Grants Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

***The Community Grants Round is due to open mid February and is for children and family charities with an annual income of less than £500,000.***

Organisations can apply only once to the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal this year. Where multiple applications are received from the same organisation, none will be considered for assessment.

Inishative Community Benefit Fund

This local community benefit fund was set up by Gaelectric in 2016 and is now managed by CGN Europe – a wind energy and energy storage company that believes in a sustainable future. GCN is committed to ensuring that their wind farms, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, also provide significant economic benefits to the local community.

The Inishative Community Benefit Fund is available to local community projects within a 10km / 6 mile radius of the wind farm.  Priority is given to applicant organisations based within the Carrickmore (3.5 miles), Galbally/Cappagh (4-5 miles) and Sixmilecross (6 miles) areas.

The Inishative Community Benefit Fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

Funding will be available to local community projects within a 10km/6 mile radius of the wind farm. Inishative CBF Map

The fund aims to encourage:

• Stronger more inclusive communities by ensuring that local people have ownership and involvement in the design and delivery of the project.

• Partnership working with community, voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure a coordinated approach.

• Sustainable solutions that address local issues.

• Projects that improve the utilisation of existing community space in each of the above areas.

• Particular emphasis will be placed on funding activities/services that are specifically aimed at older people, people with disabilities, children and teenagers (including pre-school children), providing skills development of local people and promoting health related activities or services.

• Given the remoteness of some of these locations, the isolation and lack of statutory transport provision consideration will be given to local transport initiatives.

• Projects and programmes offering invaluable advice and information and signposting on key rural issues e.g. Farm Support Services, Welfare & Benefits and Parenting/Family issues etc.

• Outdoor/Environmental projects will also be considered in terms of encouraging a healthier and active community as well as protecting and enhancing the local environment.

• Finally, wider community events and programmes that encourage greater community interaction (including cross community aspects) encompassing the local rich and varied cultural aspects of music, drama, dance and sport.

• Funding will be considered for costs associated with running/administration costs and for purchasing additional equipment to expand services/activities in each of the areas.

• Priority will be given to projects which demonstrate the ability to collaborate, network and share best practice.

Grants of up to £2000 are available. Closing date for applications is 13th February 2023 at 1pm.

For more information and to apply, please visit Inishative Community Benefit Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

Cregganconroe Community Benefit Fund

This local community benefit fund was set up by Gaelectric in 2016 and is now managed by CGN Europe – a wind energy and energy storage company that believes in a sustainable future. GCN is committed to ensuring that their wind farms, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, also provide significant economic benefits to the local community.

The Cregganconroe Community Benefit Fund is available to local community projects within a 10km / 6 mile radius of the wind farm. Cregganconroe wind farm is based just off the Loughmallon Road, Pomeroy, Co Tyrone.  The areas located within a 10km radius of the wind farm are largely rural, having a rugged mountainous terrain within the Sperrin Mountains and comprises dispersed rural settlements including the hamlets and villages of Cappagh, Galbally,  Pomeroy, Carrickmore, Kileenan  and the Rock.

The Cregganconroe Community Benefit Fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

Funding will be available to local community projects within a 10km/6 mile radius of the wind farm.  Cregganconroe Map

The fund aims to encourage:

• Any programmes/projects that address marginalisation and help tackle rural isolation.  In particular, support will be considered for transport solutions that allow a greater sharing of local community resources and to allow for improved mobility for the most isolated.

• Projects that have a particular emphasis on maximising community space by providing minor capital works that bring premises or facilities up to modern standards and in line with current building control regulations.

• Activities/services that are specifically aimed at children and young people and older people; provision of local educational classes/training courses and health related initiatives and arts/cultural activities.

• Projects designed to improve and develop local environmental schemes.

• Priority will be given to beneficiaries within the Pomeroy area given their close proximity to the wind farm.

• Projects that encourage greater cross community interaction at a local level with a focus on improving relations between nationalist and unionist communities in the area.  Consideration will be given to activities and events designed to encourage this interaction and cohesion e.g. – Open Days, Festivals and other Community Events including programmes of shared culture, music, sport, drama and dance.

Grants of up to £2000 are available and closing date for applications is 13th February 2023 at 1pm.

For more information and to apply please visit Cregganconroe Community Benefit Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)