Rural Engagement Arts Programme

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is welcoming applications to the second round of the Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP), a funding scheme, funded through The National Lottery, which aims to increase access and participation in the arts in rural areas of Northern Ireland. Grants from £500 - £10,000 are available and applications must be made online on the Arts Council’s website.

Applications are open from Friday 5 May 2023 and will close at 12noon on 3 July 2023.

The purpose of the Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP) is to provide an integrated, cohesive approach to the needs of local rural communities while recognising some specific issues they face.

The primary theme of REAP is combatting isolation and loneliness and promoting social inclusion. The recent pandemic adversely affected many lives as families and friends were separated for sustained periods of time, resulting in a negative impact on mental health and well-being.  This was felt deeply in rural communities, characterised by smaller and more dispersed populations, where isolation can be more acute than in towns and urban areas.

There are a number of ways to differentiate between loneliness and social isolation: 

• Loneliness can affect any age group; it is the subjective, unpleasant and distressing phenomenon stemming from a difference between an individual’s desired and achieved level of social relationships.

• Social isolation is a forced isolation from normal social networks caused by loss of mobility or deteriorating health.

The impact that loneliness and social isolation can have on the physical, mental and social health of isolated older people is well documented. The Campaign to End Loneliness (opens in a new tab) points to research which shows that lacking social connections is as damaging to health as smoking. Lonely individuals are more likely to visit their GP, use more medication and have a higher incidence of falls. They are also more likely to enter residential or nursing care earlier.

Participating in the arts, and coming together as communities, can make a vital contribution to improving health and wellbeing, building confidence and integrating communities. The Arts Council has worked with local authority community development and arts officers to ensure that information on REAP is available and that this public funding is as widely distributed as possible.

Groups can apply for one-off projects or for a programme of events.  Projects do not have to be new - existing, successful programmes which meet the strategic themes of REAP, are also eligible for support.

While engagement must be targeted at rural communities as defined here, Local Authorities and other groups based in urban areas may apply to fund programmes delivered in rural communities. The definition of rural is outlined in Appendix 1 at the end of these guidance notes, page 12, and is taken from the NISRA review of statistical classification and delineation of settlements in March 2015 (opens in a new tab)

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from the widest possible range of organisations. You will be required to provide proof that you have a legal constitution.

• Registered charities and other organisations which cannot distribute profits

• Groups of organisations working together to deliver specific projects

• Formally constituted parent-teacher associations

• Local Authorities

• Arts Organisations

• Organisations based in Republic of Ireland or based outside the UK and Northern Ireland, may be eligible to apply however, any proposed project must benefit people living in rural communities within Northern Ireland.

• Organisations currently in receipt of Arts Council grant funding (Annual Funding or National Lottery Project Funding) can apply providing they demonstrate that project costs are additional to any programme and administrative costs already funded under other grants.

• In exceptional circumstances, organisations based in Belfast who are partnering with other organisations to deliver REAP projects in rural areas may be eligible to apply.

Applications from single organisations are permissible but should demonstrate partnership working. Consortium applications demonstrating partnership working will be prioritised. Partnerships might include sector providers such as rural development organisations, older people’s providers and agencies, arts organisations or Local Authorities. See the Arts Council’s REAP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for examples of good partnership working.

How much can you apply for?

You can apply for an award between £500 and £10,000 for a project.

What you can apply for?

You can apply for the following eligible costs, which are indicative and not limited to:

• Costs of artists and tutors (including fees , accommodation, travel and subsistence) However please note that subsistence costs are capped at £20 per day. Also, if you are applying for artists and/or tutor costs, you must supply the relevant CVs, biography, or history of artistic practice information

• Transport costs, including vehicle hire (for example this could be to transport participants to courses/activities)

• Existing programmes which meet the criteria of the scheme are eligible – but only for activity which will not begin prior to issue of funding decision letters

• Materials

• Travel expenses within Northern Ireland – please note the Arts Council has a maximum allowance of 25.7p per mile. If applicants are partnering with organisations in border communities and the project would necessitate travel across the border, this additional travel is eligible within reason

• Equipment hire

• Volunteer expenses

• Venue hire for workshops, training, rehearsals and performance

• Publicity and marketing costs

• Evaluation costs

• Participation, education and outreach work in film and media

• Equipment costs to a maximum value of 50% of your requested amount

• Equipment items will only be considered if identified as essential within your project and where it is vital for its successful delivery. Arts Council will not fund equipment only projects. Contributions towards laptops or PCs will be up to a maximum of £1,200; and, towards tablets, up to £500

For more information and to apply, please visit Rural Engagement Arts Programme | Arts Council NI (artscouncil-ni.org)

Community groups urged to apply for support as Co-op opens applications for Local Community Fund

Applications have now opened for community groups and charities to apply to receive funding and support from Co-op’s Local Community Fund.

Co-op is searching for around 4,000 community organisations to take part in the next round of the local funding scheme

Applications have now opened for community groups and charities to apply to receive funding and support from Co-op’s Local Community Fund.

Co-op’s Local Community Fund has supported over 30,000 local community projects across the UK since its launch in 2016, and charities and organisations, who play a vital role in the wellbeing of communities, can apply up until 11 June to be considered for the next round of funding.

The Co-op's support comes at a much-needed time, with insight from community causes across the UK showing that more than eight-in-10 (84%) of local groups have seen a jump in demand for their services through the cost-of-living crisis.

Co-op is looking to continue to support projects that have an impact and make a difference locally and, align with Co-op's vision of co-operating for a fairer world, with a focus on:

• Bringing people together to access food: Such as community fridges, allotments, and cookery classes

• Helping to improve people’s mental wellbeing: Including sporting activities and, clubs and societies that promote mental well-being and build social connections

• Creation of opportunities for young people to be heard and make a difference: For example, youth groups and forums that work to build confidence, life, and employability skills

• Enabling communities to save and restore nature or tackle climate change: With examples including community gardens, tree planting, energy schemes, re-wilding, and sustainable transport

Last month, (April) Co-op also announced that it was aiming to attract one million active new Members over the next five years, and launched new member price benefits within its food business to help its members save more.

Members make a difference simply by shopping at Co-op. By buying selected Co-op products and services, members earn rewards for themselves and for their community too – with £117m raised over the last seven years to support local causes and community projects across the UK.

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Member Participation at Co-op said: “Co-op is committed to making a real and tangible difference in our local communities, while creating significant value for Members through our Membership scheme. Our Local Community Fund is more relevant than ever as the cost-of-living crisis is making it incredibly challenging for many local organisations. We know that our members want to support the communities they live in, and Co-op membership is a powerful way for people to do this, simply by shopping at Co-op - with our funding support enabling local organisations to provide valuable services and support to people at a time when communities need it most.”

More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership including its exclusive offers and deals is available by visiting www.coop.co.uk/membership

Community groups interested in applying to Co-op’s Local Community Fund, should visit causes.coop.co.uk

Small Grants Scheme 2023 - Grants opening 11th May!!

Live Here Love Here Small Grants are funded by 10 Local Councils, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. The Small Grants Scheme provides support to volunteer projects that:

• Contribute to the development of civic pride within a community with a focus on environmental improvement.

• Encourage actions and projects that enable Pollution Solutions, Biodiversity Recovery and Climate Action.

• Enhance the environmental management of a local area.

• Improve the health and wellbeing of communities whilst helping to improve and/or maintain public spaces.

• Improve the quality of their local environment by reducing littering and dog fouling through community Action.

• Support environmentally focused actions that help support people impacted through reduced contact with society.

Value of Grants

Grants are available between £500 - £3000. The average value of grants awarded is £1200.

Non-constituted groups can apply for a maximum of £500.

Eligibility

The Small Grants Scheme is open to:

• Community & Voluntary groups (including non-constituted groups)

• Sports clubs, churches and youth groups

• Not for profit organisations

• School and third level education organisations

Applications are particularly welcome from grassroots groups who have not previously received support through the Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme.

Funding is only available in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area to projects located in Northern Ireland Housing Executive areas.

What type of projects will the Small Grant Scheme fund?

• Development of shared spaces such as alleys.

• Community food growing initiatives.

• Skill sharing in horticulture and community growing.

• Projects that tackle litter issues and dog fouling.

Litter picking equipment is not eligible for funding through this grant - please check out the Adopt A Spot project.

Need some inspiration?

Check out the documents below, they are packed with hints and tips to help with your application.

Biodiversity Recovery Project Advice
Pollution Solutions Project Advice
Tackling Textiles Project Advice

Please visit Small Grants Scheme delivered by Live Here Love Here

Allen & Overy Foundation Increases Funding For Charities In Northern Ireland

Charities across Northern Ireland are invited to apply for up to £100k support from the Allen & Overy (A&O) Foundation, which is funded by contributions from A&O partners worldwide.

Financial support available for charities from The A&O Foundation in Northern Ireland has increased by 80% compared to 2022, and is administered by the Belfast Grants Committee. Charities that specialise in promoting access to justice or those that support and develop education or employment projects across Northern Ireland are encouraged to apply.

Charities interested in applying for funding should email belfastgrants@allenovery.com requesting an application form and outlining how their work meets the criteria of increasing access to justice or the advancement of education or employment. Completed application forms should be returned by 5pm on Friday 19 May 2023.

The ARN Foundation Tackling Isolation Fund

The ARN Foundation is an independent Charitable Trust set up with the intent of supporting good causes across Northern Ireland.

The ARN Foundation’s Tackling Isolation Fund will support organisations to deliver projects in support of older people affected by the cost of living crisis; and will be managed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

In June 2022 the Community Foundation met with a number of key stakeholders and called for the formation of an Executive to address the cost of living crisis.

As part of the Foundation’s commitment to being flexible and responsive we have agreed to review some of our funds with a view to supporting communities at this time.

Among the hardest hit by the cost of living crisis are older people. Older people are often on fixed income, and the rising cost of food and fuel has often led to having to choose between eating or heating.

The latest cost of living research from Age UK found around 65,000 households aged 60+ in Northern Ireland will have insufficient income to cover their essential spending this year.

Around 25,000 (almost 40%) of pensioners here are currently living in poverty or just above the poverty line.

There are concerns that over the next few months and into the winter that older people will suffer further.

In recognition of the needs of older people, the ARN Foundation has developed a new Fund, the Tackling Isolation Fund, with a particular focus on food and fuel.

Groups supporting older people can access up to £10,000 of financial support.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply your project must target at least three of the key priorities detailed below:

• Supporting older people to keep warm.

• Supporting older people to access a nutritious meal.

• Reducing isolation and vulnerability of older people through supporting participation in activities.

• Enabling older people to access technology, and to potential benefits and entitlements that they may not be aware of.

• Beneficiaries who are rurally isolated.

Examples of projects could include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting older people through delivery of services to live an independent and well-nourished way of life in their own home and as part of the community.

• Providing opportunities for older people to be involved in the design, delivery and ongoing management of community-based initiatives.

• Overcoming social isolation through social contact with other older people building on food activities, such as cooking from scratch and sharing meals, and other activities involving the wider community.

• Promoting intergenerational activities by involving older and younger people in food-based and social activities.

• Providing choice in meeting nutritional needs, including delivery of shopping by volunteers or accompanied shopping, and befriending support.

• Increasing affordability of, and access to, basic foodstuffs and/or fuel.

Closing date for applications is 26th May 2023. For more information and to apply, please visit The ARN Foundation Tackling Isolation Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

Slieve Rushen Wind Farm Fund

Is your community project located within 12 km of Slieve Rushen Wind Farm in South West Fermanagh? If Yes your group may be eligible to apply for a Slieve Rushen Wind Farm Fund Grant.

For further information see GUIDELINES and APPLICATION FORM

Closing date for applications 12noon Friday 9th June 2023.

Any queries please email:  gemma@fermanaghtrust.org

The Fermanagh Trust will not discuss, or fund applications submitted by professional fundraising consultants on behalf of local groups. We are committed to building the capacity of grass roots organisation's and are here to help voluntary committee members directly.

Open College Network NI (OCN NI): Centre Learning Grants Programme

Open College Network NI (OCN NI) plans to award a share of £85K to education, voluntary and charitable training providers locally via their Centre Learning Grants Programme, now in its second year.

The Centre Learning Grants Programme, with a closing date for applications of Friday 12th May 2023, was created by the OCN NI Board of Trustees to help fulfil its charitable objectives. Particular emphasis will be given to help those who may be particularly disadvantaged and would not otherwise have had opportunities to engage in education.

This is the first learner funding scheme of its kind in Northern Ireland created by an awarding organisation, explained Martin Flynn, CEO, OCN NI.

“This is the second year of our Centre Learning Grants Programme and if last year is anything to go by, we are expecting another huge response from our very deserving centres. The grants programme provides a unique opportunity for education, voluntary and charitable training providers to apply for much needed additional funding that will help them to innovate and enhance their current offering to support disadvantaged learners locally.

“We will be awarding grants of up to £3 000 for specific projects or activities that advance the mission and vision of OCN NI in a way that provides robust evidence of how learning positively impacts on individuals, families and communities.”

Last year, grants were given to the North West Play Resource Centre which received £3 000, the Clanrye Group was awarded £2 945, People 1st secured a grant worth £2 200, Sacred Heart College received £1 000, Parenting NI received £1 695, Loughan EOTAS received a £2 700 grant and Fermanagh Women’s Aid was awarded a Centre Learning Grant of £3 000.
 

Paul Donaghy Chair of OCN NI, said: “OCN NI is once again delighted to be in a position to ‘give back’ to learners and training providers through the extension of our Centre Learning Grants Programme. Over the last 12 months OCN NI has consolidated it’s position as the leading awarding body in Northern Ireland so being able to fund and deliver this programme for another year is a key element of charitable function, which aims to ensure the advancement of education for public benefit.

“We have already seen the positive impact from last year’s programme to help engage, enrich and equip learners for life, so I would encourage centres to apply as soon as possible for the 2023 programme.”

To apply for funding from the Centre Learning Grants Programme visit https://ocnni-centre-learning-grants.grantplatform.com/. The closing date for applications is Friday 12th May 2023

Ulster-Scots Summer Schools Grant 2023

The Agency has opened its Ulster-Scots Summer Schools Grant scheme.  

It is for programmes delivered from 1 July to 31 August 2023 and aims to support community and voluntary groups who wish to deliver a five-day Ulster-Scots Summer School to children aged 7-16 years.  

There are two options available for groups: 

Standard Summer School 

These provide up to 10 different Ulster-Scots workshops and activities.  There will be a maximum eligible funding of two hours for each Ulster-Scots activity (maximum of 20 hours' activity).  

Drama Summer School 

Drama tutors may be funded to deliver a week-long programme, finalising in a drama production.  In addition, groups may provide a maximum of five Ulster-Scots workshops and activities.  

Please note: All summer schools must deliver an Ulster-Scots language workshop. 

Groups are encouraged to read the guidelines and eligible costs before completing an application form.  

Applications close at 12 noon on Friday 5 May.  Late or incomplete applications will be rejected.  

For further information, contact the Agency’s Community Development Officer Derek Reaney on reaneyd@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk or 078 4327 9912. 

For more information and to register for Summer Schools, click here.

Tesco Community Grants

Tesco Community Grants helps to fund thousands of local projects across the country. Since 2016 the scheme has supported over 50,000 community groups with more than £100 million in grants. The scheme aims to make a positive difference – because where our communities thrive, our business and our colleagues thrive too.

Who is eligible to apply?

Grants will be awarded to schools, voluntary or community organisations (including registered charities/companies), health bodies (e.g. Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS Hospital Trust, Foundation Trust), Parish/Town Councils, local authorities and social housing providers.

This list is not exhaustive and there will be many other types of organisations that will be funded.

Applications are not eligible from:

• Individuals

• Community Interest Companies with shares (CIC’s)

• Community Interest Companies with guarantee that are less than two years old

• Profit-making organisations

What types of projects will Tesco Community Grants fund?

Applications are open to all local good causes, but we are currently prioritising helping projects that support children’s food security and health and local store nominated good causes.

This is not an exhaustive list and other project ideas also welcomed.

Examples include:

• School Breakfast clubs

• Holiday clubs

• Play areas

• Food banks

• Counselling and support services for children

• Equipment or non-statutory services for nurseries or schools e.g. forest schools, library books

• Equipment for Brownie, Guide or Scout Groups e.g. camping equipment, badges

• Services or equipment to support children and young people’s health

• Equipment/kit for youth sports teams

For more information, please visit Apply for a grant – Tesco Community Grants

Community Grants

Together with our members, we're supporting communities with grants for local housing projects. Applications open on Tuesday, 25 April 2023

Supporting people and communities is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we set up our Community Grants programme five years ago. Together, our members and colleagues are finding local solutions to the housing crisis and helping the most vulnerable people and communities across the UK.​

This year we've increased our grant limit to £60,000.

If you’re a local organisation with a great housing solution, you can apply for a Community Grant of up to £60,000. Your project will need to support one of our three aims: helping people into a home, preventing them from losing their home, or supporting them to thrive at home.

We’ll look at all applications and give a shortlist to our Community Board members, who’ll discuss and decide which projects will receive grants in their local area.

Please visit Nationwide Grants (nationwidecommunitygrants.co.uk)

Partners for Social Care and Health Improvement Fund

The Hospital Saturday Fund  

The Hospital Saturday Fund is a registered charity whose aims are to provide assistance through its charitable funds for: registered health charities, hospices, and medical organisations who are in need of grants for medical projects, care, research or support of medical training within the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

McCall Foundation 

The McCall Foundation was established by Mervyn McCall and Wilma McCall. In recent years the fund has focused on supporting projects addressing challenges in social care, as well as providing an annual bursary for engineering students through Queens University, Belfast.

Aim of fund  

This is a partnership fund between the Hospital Saturday Fund and the McCall Foundation. The aim of the fund is to support the development of new and innovative processes, policies, products or programmes that increase the quality, impact, efficiency and/or affordability of social care.

Amount of funding available

Grants of between £5,000 to £10,000 will be available 

Priorities

We are particularly interested in innovative ideas that might address any of the following current healthcare challenges:

• Social care provision

• Poorly connected care pathways

• Availability of a skilled workforce

• Underfunding of health and social care

• Poor access to services, particularly in rural areas

Eligibility criteria

• Organisations must be registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
  

• The project must only be of benefit to people living within Northern Ireland
  

• Organisations must have access to a current account in the name of the applicant organisation
  

• Organisations must be able to provide all relevant policies, including safeguarding and equality policies, unless they have provided these documents to the Foundation within the last twelve months  

What we can fund

• Capital costs

• Running costs, providing clearly linked to the development of the health innovation

• Medical care

• Research

• Medical training

Application process

• A call for applications will open on Monday 3rd April 2023

• Applications must be submitted online through the Community Foundation’s website by 1pm on Monday 8th May 2023 - Partners for Social Care and Health Improvement Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

• Panel shortlisting will be held on Tuesday 16th May 2023

• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present to a panel on Tuesday 13 June 2023, exact times tbc

Women and Girls Match Fund

Equality is essential for women and girls to dream freely, achieve proudly and live boldly. That’s why we’re working with amazing charities committed to serving the women and girls in our communities. The Women and Girls Match Fund is here to multiply generosity, tackle gender inequality and stop discrimination.

Eligibility criteria:

1. Be a UK-registered charity with a Charity Commission number or tax-exempt status and an annual income of at least £25,000 (as per last filed accounts).

2. Charities which are registered on BigGive.org (free to register).

3. Charities seeking to raise either £2,500, £5,000 or £10,000 in public donations (to be doubled by the match funds). Charities are able to use the campaign to raise unrestricted funds.

4. Charities working to to improve the lives of vulnerable, disadvantaged or underrepresented women and girls within the UK and internationally.

5. Charities that are led by, for and with women and girls. To assess this, we will look at whether your governing documents specifically mentions women/and or girls, whether you have a majority female board, who your beneficiaries are and your web presence (if your organisation has one).

6. We would encourage applications from charities that are led by Black and minoritised women and girls, LGBTQI women and girls, or Disabled women and girls. These applications will be prioritised in our assessment process.

Sign-up process:

• Log in or sign up, head to Big Give Campaigns, and click on Apply now for  the Women and Girls Match Fund

Timeline

• 27 March: Applications open

• 23 June: Applications close

• 3 August: Offer deadline

• 11- 18 Oct (midday): Campaign

For more information and to apply, please visit Women and Girls Match Fund – The Big Give

The Ireland Funds

The Heart of the Community Fund is an open grant round designed to meet the needs of not-for-profit organisations delivering vital services and supports to people across the island of Ireland.

The Ireland Funds recognises the challenges organisations face in securing funding to build their capacity or meet their core costs, so the Heart of the Community Fund 2023 will provide Organisational Investment Grants with a fund of at least €500,000.

Funding Levels

The Heart of the Community Fund 2023 will provide grants between €5,000 – €25,000.

Applications

The Heart of the Community Fund 2023 will accept applications online until Tuesday, 9th May 2023.

START APPLICATION

For more information please visit Grants - The Ireland Funds, Progress through Philanthropy

The James Ahern Foundation

We welcome applications from young people who wish to pursue a passion in life. You might be suffering a disadvantage through disability, social or economic background, mental health or addiction issues, or just struggling to find your way in life. What is important to us is that you have a passion and can demonstrate that.

We have a simple application process: fill in the form and then come for an interview! You should be able to demonstrate a clear purpose or goal for your funding, why you have a passion for that goal, and where it will lead you.

All applications will be considered on merit, regardless of your background. We aim to award grants in March and August each year, but if your application is urgent then please make this clear and we will consider it. Please complete our online application form, using the button link at the bottom of the page. To help you, we have set out here some examples of the type of projects that we might support.

For more information, please visit Home | jamesahernfoundation

The Brian Conlon Foundation

The Brian Conlon Foundation is an independent Charitable Trust set up in Brian’s memory to continue his legacy by supporting causes that were close to his heart and that he was passionate about.

Grants will be awarded to community associations and groups in the Newry area, who are working to advance education, amateur sport, provide opportunities for young people, and assisting communities in the local area.

Grants up to £3,500 will be open for applications.

The Brian Conlon Foundation will support the provision of support for projects based in Newry City – view boundary map here

The fund will focus on the following priorities:

●     Advancement of Education

●     Advancement of Amateur sport

●     Opportunities for young people from the local area

●     Assistance for communities in disadvantaged areas

This might include

●      Educational activities supporting people from disadvantaged areas

●      Projects that provide enhanced sporting opportunities for people who are particularly disadvantaged

●      Projects that will directly benefit those disaffected from mainstream education

●      Early years intervention, particularly in disadvantaged areas, within Newry city

Awards will be available of up to a maximum of £3,500 to support small community projects. We anticipate, however, that the average grant will be around £2,000.

Closing date for applications is 19th May at 1pm. For more information and to apply, please visit The Brian Conlon Foundation - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.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

New 'Food hubs' grant funding available for Community Fridges

Community Fridges bring people together around good food. Across the UK they are reducing social isolation, increasing access to skills, sharing knowledge and repurposing fresh (surplus) food.  

We know that many groups want to do more, and so in partnership with Starbucks we’re offering £7,000 (per group) in funding for up to 50 Community Fridges to develop additional food initiatives.   

These additional activities could be skills workshops, growing initiatives, gardening schemes or cooking (to name a few)! So, if you’re already running an open Community Fridge feel free to apply.  

What the funding is for:    

The funding aims to support the development of new activities relating to cooking, growing, budgeting and using surplus food that fit into one of four themes:    

Skills – To up-skill your community and raise awareness of sustainable, affordable, and heathy living.  E.g. workshops, events, cookbooks, or how-to-guides.    

Affordable food – To try out new ways to increase access to local and affordable food.  E.g. food cooperatives, food box schemes or food markets.    

Community connection – To provide opportunity for the community to come together around shared food. E.g. community meals, coffee and chats, youth activities, and recipe shares.    

Growing – To support community growing and increase the amount of edible food grown and shared locally. E.g. community gardens, greening projects and seed or plant sharing.     

Timings   

Community Fridge groups will be able to apply for funding from 9am 31st of March 2023. Applications close at 11.59pm May 31st. 

For full information please read the below: 

• Application guidance: Here

• Q&A webinar: Here  

• Funding Eligibility: Here 

• Terms & conditions: Here 

• FAQs: Here

• Preview application questions: Here

To speak with us and hear more about the funding, please sign up to our online Q&A session on 20th April at 2:00pm: Here 

APPLY NOW

Community Facilities Fund

The Community Facilities Fund (CFF) is a grant scheme to support minor capital works, repairs and/or implementation of digital solutions to enable groups and organisations to improve income opportunities, make changes to the facility use and/or make the facility more accessible and inclusive to further engage the local community. Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council recognises the vital role that community facilities play in providing local access to a range of important services in communities, hence the inclusion of this Fund as an integral part of the council’s Local Investment Plan 2023/24. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is 1.00pm on Monday 8 May 2023.

The aims of the programme are:

• to improve, upgrade and/or refurbish community facilities to offer activities and services which help to increase opportunity, reduce inequality and broaden community engagement; 

• to provide better access to existing community services and create a wider range of services within local communities;

• to improve the ability to respond to community needs and improve community links and networks. 

The Community Facilities Fund spend must align to the principles of the Community Plan which includes sustainability, development, equality and participation. All applications to this fund must ensure that they fall within the legal powers of the council.

Click here to read the Community Plan

The Community Facilities Fund has £40,000 available for each of the seven District Electoral Areas (DEA) and applicants can apply for a minimum of £5,000 up to a maximum of £10,000. This is part of our Local Investmnet Plan 2023/24.

Groups who were successful in receiving funding from this scheme in 2021 are not eligible to apply.

LCCC are hosting workshops that you are welcome to confirm your attendance by emailing community.services@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk.  You are strongly encouraged to attend the workshops if you are interested in applying for this funding.  The details are:

• Monday 17th April  at 11.00am in Hillsborough Village Centre

• Tuesday 18th April  at 7.00pm in Moneyreagh Community Centre

• Wednesday 19th April at 7.00pm  in the Ivanhoe Hotel

For more information and to apply, please visit Community Facilities Fund (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk)

Homeless Prevention Fund 2023/24

The Homeless Prevention Fund was first introduced in 2019/20, and in the past three years the Housing Executive has recognised the significant positive impact by the projects achieved through the grant funding. The new Homelessness Strategy 2022-27 sets out the need to continue to prioritise prevention, and the Homeless Prevention Fund is an effective approach to contribute to this.

NIHE are seeking applications from constituted groups in receipt of homelessness funding, supporting people funding, social enterprise funding, or constituted groups working with key homeless client groups with endorsement from the local NIHE Area Manager. 

In line with the 2022-2027 Homelessness Strategy, Ending Homelessness Together, the following key priority areas and delivery approaches have been identified for this year’s Prevention fund:-

2022 – 2027 Homelessness Strategy prevention activities:

·       Primary Prevention Activity – Universal policies and interventions for the population as a whole which will not only be related to housing. This will also include raising awareness to assist in the public’s understanding of the complex nature of homelessness to ensure households approaching crisis can access support.

·       Secondary Prevention Activity - Identifying and targeting particular groups which are at the highest risk of homelessness to undertake pre-crisis intervention. This can take the form of advice and mediation services; proactive interventions and targeted services at known risk points.

·       Tertiary Prevention Activity - Tackling recurring homelessness, including ensuring tenancy sustainment is central to preventing repeat homelessness.

Priority Vulnerable Groups

·       Youth homeless including former care leavers;

·       Older people;

·       Victims of domestic abuse;

·       Those experiencing or impacted by addictions;

·       Those with mental ill-health;

·       Those at risk of losing private rented sector accommodation;

·       Those with lived experience in the criminal justice system

Please note that projects providing secondary intervention activities to the key vulnerable groups identified above are particularly sought, with similarly targeted primary and tertiary based projects also being considered. Those projects found not to be sufficiently aligned with the defined prevention activities listed will not be progressed for further assessment.

 
There are many social, economic and family factors that can result in a household becoming homeless. These factors are outlined throughout the Strategy.

The 2023/24 Homeless Prevention fund will focus on the following models;

a)  Intervention models - (either by mediation and/or counselling or through direct financial support);

b)  Training models - (to empower and equip sector workers who have been identified as working with those at risk of homelessness);

c)   Personal development models – (to provide a structured training programme to empower and equip participants who have been identified as at risk of homelessness) and;

d)  Awareness Models - (which seek to raise awareness of the complex nature of homelessness and available support services among the general public, sector workers or individuals who have been identified as at risk of homelessness).

e)  Social Enterprise model – (to improve communities, tackle social issues and provide access to employment and skills training for individuals identified as at risk of homelessness). These projects are separate from those funded through the Social Enterprise fund and can be viewed as complementary to these where the focus is on preventing vulnerable individuals becoming homeless.

The focus of the Fund will be on models that directly benefit the customer. Applications for the following models will therefore be of particular interest:-

a)      Intervention model – (by providing direct financial support);

b)      Intervention model – (through mediation and/or counselling support) and;

c)       Personal development models – (to provide a structured training programme to empower and equip participants who have been identified as at risk of homelessness).

Our objective is to provide 2023/24 Homeless Prevention funding for up to a maximum of 10 months from 1st June, and costings are sought on this basis. In the event that the project duration is shortened (due to a potential delay in budget clarification) we will seek to recalibrate the 10 month project costs to reflect the shorter timeframe and agree this with you. (In the best case scenario we aim to be able to notify you in mid-May to enable project commencement from 1st June 2023). Please provide as much detail as possible on the costings as this will hopefully minimise any unnecessary future correspondence if your project is shortlisted by our panel. 

A maximum grant of £50k will be awarded to applicants for up to 10 months. 

Please be advised that funding awarded will be non-recurrent and will have to be spent by the 31st March 2024.

If you have any queries, please contact the staff below:

Michael Davidson E: michael1.davidson@nihe.gov.uk T: 028 959 83306

Andrew Kenny E: andrew.kenny@nihe.gov.uk T: 028 959 82924                 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 5.00 PM on Friday 14th April 2023

Call 2 Revenue Grants 2023/24

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council is offering financial assistance to eligible groups in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector for the period 1st July 2023 - 31st March 2024 for:

• Running costs (for eligible organisations)

• Programmes

• Events

Funding is available through the following grant programmes:

- Community Grants

- Arts, Culture and Events Grants

- Good Relations Grants

Applications open on Monday 3rd April 9am until noon Friday 28th April 2023.

To further assist groups a number of Virtual Information Sessions have been arranged as follows:-

Tuesday 4th April at 7pm

Wednesday 5th April at 2pm

To register for these sessions please email fap@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Initial queries should be directed to Valerie Leatham on 07515607480