Marine Litter Capital Grants Programme Accepting Applications

Funding is available for community groups, businesses and statutory bodies in Northern Ireland to purchase equipment for projects to reduce marine litter.

Live Here Love Here Marine Litter Capital Grants are provided by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs through the Live Here Love Here collaborative partnership, involving DAERA, ten local councils, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

The programme is inviting applications from a range of voluntary and community groups and organisations, schools, statutory bodies and businesses from across Northern Ireland. The grants are not restricted to coastal areas, so groups from anywhere in Northern Ireland may apply.

The funding will support organisations and groups to purchase and install capital items to:

• Prevent litter and plastic pollution from entering the marine environment.

• Enhance the environmental management of a local area to reduce marine litter.

• Improve the health and wellbeing of communities and marine biodiversity recovery by helping to improve and/or maintain the quality of public open spaces.

• Improve the quality of their local environment by changing behaviour through creative concepts to reduce the incidence of littering.

The level of grant depends on who is making the application:

• Constituted groups, businesses and statutory bodies - grants of between £500 and £40,000.

• Non-constituted groups - grants of between £500 and £5,000.

Applicants should note the average grant is likely to be a lot less than the maximum, which will only be awarded for exceptionally innovative or strategically significant projects. Collaborative applications are welcomed.

Council and business applicants must provide 50% match funding for their project, while schools must demonstrate how they will use any assets purchased in an educational context.

The deadline for applications is 9 November 2023 (5pm).

For more information and to apply, please visit Live Here Love Here - Grants

Cash4Clubs to Open for Applications on 18 October

Small unrestricted grants to help sustain the UK’s community sports clubs who are in need and may be threatened with closure due to the cost of living crisis.

Cash4Clubs is a corporate-initiated sports club scheme, funded by Flutter Entertainment (formerly Paddy Power Betfair), a bookmaking holding company.

For the last 25 years, it has been offering funding to support the sustainability of local sports clubs across the UK and Ireland, thereby ensuring more people have access to local sports.

This year, community sports clubs and organisations who are in need due to the impact of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis can apply for unrestricted grants of £2,000 from a funding pot of £200,000.

The funding can be used for anything that will add to the sustainability and effectiveness of the sports club, including buying new equipment, improving facilities or helping members to gain coaching qualifications.

While the funding is unrestricted there is particular interest in hearing from clubs that are using sport for other social purposes such as developing skills, reducing crime or addressing anti-social behaviour.

Applications will be accepted from clubs and organisations that are either registered charities or clubs with a structured governance and constitution.

Clubs that are targeting communities from deprived areas are encouraged to apply.

Full details will be provided when the scheme opens.

Applications open on 18 October 2023.

Please visit Home - Cash4Clubs (cash-4-clubs.com)

Community Benefit Funds administered on behalf of CFNI

The following Community Benefits are open for applications, closing date is 23rd Oct at 1pm;

Dunmore Community Benefit Fund

Monnaboy Community Benefit Fund

Dunbeg Community Benefit Fund

Cloonty Community Benefit Fund

Corby Knowe Community Benefit Fund

Carn Hill Community Benefit Fund

The fund welcomes applications from constituted community and voluntary groups that address the following areas:

• Community cohesion and engagement;

• Energy efficiency and sustainability;

• Social, cultural or sporting benefit for the local community;

• Training and education;

• Environmental benefit;

• Economic benefit.

More information is available in the following link - Available Grants - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

PEACEPLUS Funding Calls Indicative Timetable

A timetable of calls for applications to the PEACEPLUS Programme for 2021-2027 has been outlined on the website. Please visit: https://www.seupb.eu/funding/current-funding-opportunities

PeacePlus will also be hosting two more roadshows and a pre-application workshop. For more information and to book please visit: https://www.seupb.eu/latest/events

Application Support

Online support and guidance for completing your application is available on the new PEACEPLUS Support Portal. This includes how-to guides and videos to help you throughout the application process.  

If no call has been opened yet for the Investment Area you are interested in, please visit the Pre-Application support page. Before each PEACEPLUS funding call opens the SEUPB will hold a pre-application support workshop for each Investment Area.  Recordings of these workshops and information on future workshops will be published in the Pre-Application section. 

Find our more about pre-application support

Tree Planting for Winter 2023 - 2024

• Applications are open to all landowners: farmers, smallholders, councils, community groups, schools, colleges, sports clubs, golf clubs, youth groups, healthcare and hospital grounds, church and faith communities, gardeners and other landowners.

• Applicants will be issued with an application number by email when their order is complete and will be kept up to date with project news, tree delivery details and other information by email.

• Applications are accepted on a first come first served basis. We have limited numbers of trees and applications will be closed early if all trees are accounted for before the deadline. Please do not leave your application to the last minute - apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

• Application Deadline: Applications for trees will close at 5pm on Monday 23rd October 2023.

Schools & Colleges:

• Sponsored trees are available free of charge to schools and colleges.

• Schools and colleges may apply for up to 250 trees and 2 apple trees.

  Community Projects: Community Groups, Councils, Sports Clubs, youth groups, healthcare and hospital grounds, church and faith communities:

• Sponsored trees are available free of charge to community groups, councils, sports clubs, youth groups, healthcare and hospital grounds, church and faith communities. Tidy Towns, residents groups, allotments, scouts groups and community groups of all kinds are welcome to apply.

• There is no upper or lower limit on tree numbers - larger projects may undertake planting over a number of years as multi-year projects.

For more information and to apply, please visit Plant Trees — Trees on the Land

Tabhair Charitable Trust

The Tabhair Trust is passionate about nurturing small to medium sized charities in their aspirations to change communities and restore broken lives through providing opportunities for education, training and personal advancement.

We welcome applications from charities that combine support services with enterprising mission to improve social wellbeing and employment opportunities in the lives of the disengaged and disadvantaged.

Tabhair makes grants to charitable organisations and primarily supports projects undertaken in the UK and Ireland.

Applications can be made for individual projects or core costs. Where core costs are requested, the maximum commitment considered would be 3 years.

Grants will range in size, with most grants awarded being in the range of £500 - £5000

For more information and to apply, please visit Tabhair - A Charitable Trust

eBay’s Circular Fashion Innovators Fund Opens for 2023

Funding is offered to help UK-based small firms specialising in pre-loved fashion solutions to access new technology and deliver innovative solutions.

eBay UK’s partnership with the British Fashion Council created the Circular Fashion Innovators Fund in 2022, supporting small businesses specialising in circular fashion solutions. The programme is now running for a second year.

The Fund hopes to bring new technology and services to the market that can help people think and shop differently, with a particular focus on areas such as customer experience, circular inventory and services, and social commerce.

Successful applicants will receive:

• Up to £25,000 in funding to grow their business.

• A bespoke mentoring programme with internal and external industry leads.

• Networking opportunities.

Small businesses operating in the UK’s circular fashion industry may apply.

Applicants should have an established business that has been trading for a minimum of six months and a maximum of six years. The applicant’s company should be based in the United Kingdom and registered with Companies House (not sole trader) and can be a charity, social enterprise or registered company.

Applications are accepted between 25 September 2023 and 20 October 2023.

For more information and to apply, please visit eBay | Circular Fashion Fund

Funding for Community Groups in the UK to Run Events During British Science Week 2024

British Science Week (BSW) is an annual programme of science, technology, engineering, and maths events and activities that takes place across the UK in March each year. BSW is coordinated by the British Science Association (BSA) and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Applications will be considered from community-based groups and organisations that work directly with audiences who are traditionally underrepresented and currently not engaged in science activity, including:

• People from ethnic minority backgrounds.

• People living in communities which face deprivation, including people disadvantaged in terms of education and income.

• People with a disability or long-term health condition.

• People living in a remote and rural location, defined as settlements of less than 10,000 people.

• Girls and women, with priority given to community groups who work with at least one other underrepresented group.

Activity providers, libraries, museums and other institutions who are looking for funding to run an event with a group that meets one of the target audiences are encouraged to partner with a community group.

Two levels of grants are available:

• £500 grants to run one or more events during British Science Week.

• £1,000 grants to run one or more events during British Science Week, as well as either preparatory or follow-up activities that will lead to continued engagement beyond British Science Week.

Examples of eligible events and activities include, but are not limited to:

• Sports science sessions with football and rugby clubs.

• Community-created science exhibitions in places of worship, community gardens, libraries and pubs.

• Community-led research projects and experiments with youth clubs and groups with special educational needs.

• Scientifically-informed theatre productions and art activities.

• Activity packs and pre-recorded videos.

Digital and hybrid physical/digital activities can be supported.

The grants can be used for materials, room hire, publicity, speakers, trainers, freelancers, project-specific staff costs, audio-visual hire, reasonable volunteer expenses, transport or other costs of running the event or activity.

The deadline for applications is 6 November 2023 (23:59)

For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.locaji.co.uk/greater-london/south-kensington/british-science-association/381700/

Electrical Safety Fund Accepting Applications for 2023

Community safety groups and other not-for-profit organisations across the UK can apply for funding to help those most at vulnerable to electrical risk and injury.

Electrical Safety First is offering grants for fire and rescue services, community safety groups, trading standards authorities, and other not-for-profit organisations across the UK to deliver projects tackling risks associated with electrical products, increasing the public’s awareness of electrical safety, and promoting changes in behaviour.

Through the Electrical Safety Fund, a total of £250,000 is available for projects and activities that are aimed at addressing the problems of misuse and/or lack of maintenance of electrical products, such as:

• Product testing and product replacement events (eg amnesty events to replace unsafe electric blankets, portable heaters etc).

• Educational and raising awareness activities.

• Home safety activities/visits.

• Data collection projects that would support the fund's national aims to prevent electrical-related injuries, such as collecting data relating to injuries caused by electrical products, issues with products purchased from online marketplaces, or anything else that meets the funding criteria.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for groups and organisations. However, grants of up to £10,000 may be considered for joint applications or larger projects.

The deadline for applications is 22 October 2023. 

For more information and to apply, please visit Electrical Safety Fund | Electrical Safety First

#EatYourPumpkin

Millions of pumpkins are wasted in the UK every Halloween, with many people carving them but spookily not eating their gourdgeous orange flesh.

Since 2014, people all around the country have been joining the 'Eat Your Pumpkin' campaign and helping to make sure no pumpkin gets left behind. 

What the funding is for
The funding is available for community events which encourage people to eat pumpkin, and use pumpkin as a hook to reduce food waste year-round.

You might have your own ideas for an event, but here are some ideas to get you started: 

Decorate your pumpkin - share crafty ideas and get creative to avoid putting pumpkins under the knife before they get to the kitchen
Family-friendly pumpkin cooking workshops in half-term 
‘Ready, steady, cook’ style pumpkin cook-off or local competition 
Communal meal using surplus pumpkin as the main ingredient 

Events should be held in the run-up to Halloween, they must take place before Sunday 5 November.

What Hubbub will provide 
A how-to guide and resource pack. This will contain everything from planning documents to help you run a fun, safe and impactful event, to marketing materials to get bums on seats.

Grant funding of up to £800 per group, to help cover the costs of: 
1. Materials, ingredients, and equipment 
2. Venue hire 
3. Paying a local chef or speaker 
4. Staffing costs related to the setting up and running of events

Note: Funding will be given prior to the event. You will be required to return a short evaluation form following your activities.

Key application timings
Application Deadline: Sunday 24 September
You will be notified by: Friday 6 October

Please note: applications which meet the criteria may be deemed successful ahead of the deadline. Therefore we would urge you to get your applications in asap. We will close this portal if all funding is allocated before Sunday 24 September.

For more information and to apply, please visit Community Grant Application: 'Eat Your Pumpkin' (jotform.com)

The Royal Countryside Fund Opens for Autumn 2023 Round

Previously known as the Prince's Countryside Fund, the Royal Countryside Fund's Supporting Rural Communities programme is supported by the People's Postcode Lottery and the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust. The Royal Countryside Fund is a registered charity founded by HM King Charles III in 2010 while he was The Prince of Wales.

The Royal Countryside Fund is currently accepting applications from constituted, not-for-profit organisations with an income of less than £500,000 for projects that will create a long-term difference in rural communities across the UK.

Grants of up to £25,000 over two years are available for projects that can be completed by January 2026.

The funding is designed to support community-led projects that are pursuing innovative and strategic solutions to the challenges facing their rural area and which will improve the viability and resilience of their community.

Successful projects will achieve one or more of the following:

• Support people to resolve existing and emerging community issues, circumstances, and priorities in their locality.

• Build rural community resilience.

• Develop innovative and replicable projects.

• Enable leadership and community planning.

• Improve the economic or social resilience of a rural community.

• Reduce isolation for people living in rural areas through improving service provision.

• Create a self-sufficient rural community fit for the future.

There is particular interest in 'fledgeling' ideas and projects.

There are a number of funding restrictions, including purchase of food, working capital, youth clubs or projects where there may be other more appropriate funders, such as those dealing with domestic violence, dementia or elderly care, and migration.

Groups are encouraged to submit their application before the deadline as the link to the application form will be taken down at midday on the closing date.

The deadline for applications is midday on 20 October 2023. For more information and to apply, please visit Home - The Royal Countryside Fund

NI Micro Community Investment Fund – Last Chance to Apply in 2023

Managed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, the Micro Community Investment Fund has been launched with support from Bank of Ireland UK, in recognition and celebration of the contribution of voluntary groups and people to society and the need for a simple application process for small amounts of funding.

Applications will be accepted from grassroots community organisations based in Northern Ireland with an annual income of less than £30,000. Priority will be given to groups with an income of up to £10,000.

Grants of up to £2,000 can support both new and existing activities.

The funding is intended to provide investment for community initiatives making a difference in towns and villages across Northern Ireland through projects that focus on improving at least one of the following:

• Financial wellbeing.

• Physical wellbeing.

• Mental wellbeing.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Focus on the positive contribution of people within the community and support the challenges that people face in ligt of the rising cost of living.

• Enable active participation of a community in decision-making and involvement in making their community a better place to live in.

• Focus on the assets within the community which the project will use to make the community a better place to live in.

• Help get people engaged in taking community action where it has not happened before to make the community a better place to live in.

• Address more than one particular strand of wellbeing.

Due to its popularity, the Fund is now nearing the position where the funds for 2023-24 will be fully allocated.

The Fund will close this year to applications on 6 October 2023 (13:00). For more information and to apply, please visit Micro Community Investment Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

Social Justice Small Grants Programme

Grants are available for locally based community groups and 'communities of interest' in Northern Ireland for projects that are promoting or embedding human rights and social justice in their day-to-day work, for and with their chosen communities.

Aims of the Social Justice Fund:

To support local community groups to give voice to excluded groups, and work to advance a fairer and more equal society where the human rights of all are protected.

Target Group: Community Sector

The fund will support locally based community groups and locally based ‘communities of interest’ with an interest in promoting or embedding human rights and social justice in their day-to-day work for and with their chosen communities.

Size of Grant:

Grants will be available up to £5,000.

In some instances, the panel may consider awards up to £15,000.

Objectives:

Applications must demonstrate that their proposal will contribute to at least one of the following objectives:

• To give voice and power to those whose human rights are most at risk and to support them to challenge inequality, exclusion, and unfairness.

• To provide groups and communities with support to challenge, monitor and remedy inequality and rights violations.

• To increase awareness of and contribute to building a culture of rights within and between communities, particularly those most marginalized from decision making

• To support communities and marginalized groups to find solutions to contentious issues

Values:

Applicants must demonstrate in their application how they will advance and adhere to the values of the NIHRF:

• Inclusive – drawing on human rights expertise, including those with lived experience, to develop NIHRF’s strategy, grant making and learning.

• Applying a rights-based approach – adhering to the principles of participation, accountability, non-discrimination, empowerment, and legality.

• Collaborative – The essence of the NIHRF is partnership and collaboration based on mutual trust which draws on the strengths of the partners who will work together to advance the NIHRF’s purpose.

• Encouraging Learning – the NIHRF will support learning between all partners, actively encouraging, listening and being open to responding and adapting.

• Courageous – We will approach complexity with courage and ambition and be open to new solutions to entrenched problems.

We would particularly welcome applications for projects which focus on peacebuilding/legacy, racial justice, gender, health, socio-economic rights, tech, and digital rights, (including the need for accountability and safeguards), and climate.

Project Ideas:

• Rights/Culture/Identity Projects

• Anti-Poverty Initiatives

• Projects which contribute to Peace Building

• Projects which tackle digital justice, environmental justice, and feminism

Eligiblity:

To be eligible for consideration for a grant, the applicant groups must:

• be constituted and based in Northern Ireland or working towards being constituted

• have an active committee and current bank account

• maintain financial records and present accounts to your AGM

• provide minutes of committee meetings

• have at least three cheque signatories who are unrelated

• have an income of £1.5m or less

Closing date for applications is 6th October 2023 at 1pm. For more information and to apply, please visit Social Justice Small Grants Programme - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

Rosa’s Voices from the Frontline Fund Reopens for UK Applications

Funding to support campaigning and influencing work that enables women and girls in the UK to use their voices to achieve change.

Now in its sixth year, Rosa’s Voices from the Frontline Fund offers one-year grants of between £500 and £7,000. This year, Rosa expects to award between 30 and 35 grants.

The funding is for women’s and girls’ organisations to deliver activism and campaigning to raise awareness of the issues women and girls face. The campaigns could be targeted at local communities, the general public, local or national government, media, service providers or businesses.

Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit women's sector voluntary and community organisations in the UK that have been active for at least one year and can produce annual accounts for an entire year.

They must meet Rosa’s definition of a women’s and girls’ organisation as those which are run by, for and with women and girls:

• Their organisation will be governed and led by women.

• They will have a Board of Trustees (or similar) where the Chair is a woman, and the majority of members are women.

• The majority of their organisation’s employee leadership team will be women.

• Their organisation will have the principal objective of working with women and/or girls and the majority of their organisation’s beneficiaries are, and will always be, women and/or girls.

Priority will be given to the following organisations, not listed in priority order that are:

• Operating in the top 20% of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK based on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).

• Based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

• Led by and for Black and minoritised women and girls.

• Led by and for disabled women.

• Led by and for LGBTQ+ women and girls.

Rosa will be hosting ‘How to Apply’ webinars on 21 September (13:00 to 14:00) and 3 October (16:00 to 17:00). Registration is required and can be done on Rosa’s website.

The deadline for the online application and three minute video is 11 October 2023 (16:00).

For more information please visit Voices from the Frontline - Rosa (rosauk.org)

St Stephen's Green Trust - Family Matters Grant Programme

SSGT believes putting families at the heart of the criminal justice system and processes is the ‘golden thread’ which can reduce the harm of imprisonment and contribute to rehabilitation. Therefore, a strategic aim of SSGT is to contribute to improving the system of support for families affected by convictions and imprisonment to improve rehabilitation and resettlement outcomes. Evidence shows that prisoners who manage to maintain family bonds whilst in prison have significantly reduced reoffending risks upon release. Families cannot bear this burden alone and should be supported in this role. However, SSGT acknowledges family relationships are complex and systems should take account of the best interests of both the family and the prisoner.

Grant Programme Outcomes

SSGT has developed a strategy for the grant programme which emerged from a Current Context paper.  We believe that supporting the improvement and development of family centred approaches in prison and probation systems leads to improved outcomes for all.

The grant programme has two funding strands which will support work across the island.

In Strand 1, groups can apply for one-year grants of up to €7,000/£6,000 for work which tests new approaches, adds value to current family support work and develops pathways to knowledge and learning around how to improve the situation for families. These initiatives should be relevant to the programme outcomes listed below. The focus is on children and families with a loved one affected by convictions and imprisonment as well as developing and strengthening systems which acknowledge prisoners as a family member[1].

Strand 2 will fund groups – up to €25,000/£21,500 pa for one to three years which are working strategically towards the programme outcomes outlined below. Funded groups should have a good understanding of the context for family support systems in the criminal justice sector and have ambitions for improvement using a systems change approach.  Groups should only apply under one strand unless there are particular reasons for applying under both strands – for example as part of a consortium.

Our reference to ‘family’ is a broad definition and includes significant others.

SSGT’s approach, as a small grantmaker, is to work towards outcomes to which it can best contribute, given identified need and opportunities to engage. Therefore, we will fund work that makes a contribution to the following outcomes:

Outcome 1: Family-centred approaches to rehabilitation and reintegration become normalised in the prison system, at the point of imprisonment, during the sentence and on release: we are interested in work with people affected by imprisonment and convictions which has a strategic focus on their role as family members, and a recognition that partners and children serve the sentence too. This is a systems-focused approach which uses current evidence to effect change.

Outcome 2: The voice of prisoners and their families adds to the evidence base and understanding of the value of family-centred approaches to reintegration and maintaining family bonds:  The voices of people most affected by decisions which impact them need to be heard at local and national levels. This could include establishing platforms and mechanisms which allow them to participate in decision-making forums and have their voices heard. Many people with lived experience of the criminal justice system develop a set of capabilities that enable them to advance transformative change, both in the lives of people affected by imprisonment and convictions and in the lives of those who make decisions which affect them.

Outcome 3: Government and state bodies are held accountable for reducing the harm of imprisonment to families: the focus is on ensuring duty bearers acknowledge the need for change and act accordingly. We are interested in improved policies, legislation and change to current practice which results in relevant agencies better meeting the needs of the whole family.

More information about the grant programme and the criteria is available here.

We strongly encourage potential applicants to talk to us in advance of making an application – a short email outlining the project activities (in three or four paragraphs) should be emailed to orla@ssgt.ie and we will arrange to telephone you to discuss it.

When you are ready to apply

Strand 1 – apply here

Strand 2 – apply here

Funders: This programme is funded by a family foundation advised by Porticus and the Bridget Clancy Fund.

Foras na Gaeilge - Colmcille Small Grants Scheme

Small grants are available for organisations to support the research and planning of joint initiatives between the language communities of Irish and Scottish Gaeilge.

Colmcille operates through grant schemes and through facilitating and initiating projects. Funding addresses the following themes: the arts, young people, heritage, learning Scottish and Irish Gaelic, partnership and community development, and research.

In Scotland Bòrd na Gàidhlig supports an annual Colmcille grant scheme which specifically seeks to support projects that achieve the following:
• Promoting Gàidhlig and Irish use through the arts
• Using heritage to bring Gaelic-speaking communities together and raise the status of the Gaelic languages
• Bringing young speakers of Scottish and Irish Gaelic together through events or school projects
• Promoting dialogue and sharing of experiences and best practice between Scottish and Irish Gaelic speakers
• Supporting the learning of Irish Gaelic among Scottish Gaelic speakers

In Ireland Foras na Gaeilge, Colmcille opearates on a cross-border basis and has three grant schemes:
• The Colmcille Grant Scheme, for projects, which has two funding rounds per year
• The Colmcille small grant scheme for developing partnerships and projects, which is open continuously
• The Colmcille bursary scheme for Irish speakers learning Scottish Gaelic

Foras na Gaeilge application forms and guidelines are available here.

Health and Safety Capital Programme

The Arts Council has designed this programme to enable organisations to purchase equipment and/or carry out minor works to their premises which will address any health and safety issues or has been an outstanding maintenance issue which has rendered the space not fit for purpose. 

We want to support organisations across Northern Ireland to maintain their creative spaces addressing any issues that may hinder the work to take place.  We want to ensure that organisations have proper measures in place to welcome their staff, artists and audiences.  We also want to support organisations in their delivery of the arts in new and creative alternatives.

Particular priority will be given to equipment and minor works which:

• improves the accessibility of the arts;

• continues the safe practice for continued accessibility of the arts;

• improves the environment for the arts sector; and

• enhances or broadens the audience/participants’ experience.

Who can apply?

The Arts Council welcomes applications from the widest possible range of organisations and, in particular, from applicants whose projects benefit individuals categorised under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. In addition, in order to be eligible to apply to this programme, please note the following:

• You do not have to be primarily an arts organisation (for example, community groups may apply to the scheme), however, the purpose of the requested equipment and / or minor works must be clearly focussed on the arts.

• Local authorities are eligible to apply but they are a low priority.

• Registered charities and other fully constituted organisations which cannot distribute a profit are eligible to apply.

• Commercial organisations can only apply for support if the equipment and/or minor works is primarily for the benefit of the public rather than their own commercial interests.

• If your organisation has a limited membership you must show that the equipment and / or minor works will benefit the wider public.

• Groups of organisations (consortia) working together to deliver specific projects may apply.

What Can You Apply For?

You can apply for any equipment and / or minor works to help adapt your venue or working practice. This could be, but not limited to, the following:

• Creation of safe spaces

• New equipment / structures to enable delivery outdoors

• IT equipment to assist with remote working environments

• Software (pre-loaded operating systems and packages only)

• Accessibility equipment and minor works

• Works in relation to upgrading and maintaining existing systems

• Transport

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

Awards Programme for Outstanding NI Rural Community Projects Invites Applications

Applications are being invited by an annual awards programme that celebrates the work of rural community groups across Northern Ireland.

Financial prizes and award recognition are available to community groups who have delivered outstanding projects to improve health, wellbeing, and individual and community development for residents of rural Northern Ireland settlements.

The Rural Community Awards programme provided by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive is accepting applications from community groups, residents' groups, voluntary groups or other groups having a constitution and acting in the interest of a rural settlement within Northern Ireland.

For the purpose of this awards programme, 'rural' settlements are defined as those with a population of less than 5,000.

There are three award types:

• The Rural Community Spirit Award is open to all community groups based in rural areas who work together to make their village or small settlement a better place to live.

• The Cleaner & Greener Rural Community Award seeks to reward and encourage those rural communities who have come together to protect and enhance their built and natural environment and to promote sustainability with their residents.

• The Community Champion Award is open to extraordinary individuals nominated by the rural community group they represent.

In 2023, the following awards will be made:

• A £1,000 prize will be awarded to each of the winners of the northern and southern Rural Community Spirit and Cleaner & Greener Rural Community awards.

• Each winning individual of the northern and southern Rural Community Champion Awards receives a plaque, together with a £500 donation to the community group associated with their work.

The prize money awarded to winning groups is to be used to support and extend activities or projects which benefit their local rural community.

The deadline for applications is 29 September 2023 (4pm).

For more information and to apply, please visit The Housing Executive - Rural Community Awards (nihe.gov.uk)

September Deadline for NI Arts and Leisure Venue Access and Inclusion Programme

A capital grant funding programme aimed at promoting a more inclusive society in Northern Ireland by enabling disabled people to participate more fully in arts, cultural and active recreation activities is inviting applications.

Funding is available to arts, culture and active recreation venues in Northern Ireland to enable both physical improvements at facilities and works that will enhance the experience on offer to people with disabilities.

The Access and Inclusion Grants programme provided by the Northern Ireland Executive's Department for Communities is accepting applications from local arts, culture and active recreation venues in Northern Ireland which are either:

• A museum accredited by Northern Ireland Museums Council.

• A local authority-owned venue where the council is providing Access and Inclusion programme support directly. Interested parties should contact their local council to confirm their eligibility and the support available.

The following criteria apply:

• There must be a demonstrable need for the project supported by evidence of consultation with and/or input from individuals with disabilities or the disability sector.

• An accessibility audit must be completed and attached to each application for a council-owned venue.

• Whilst an accessibility audit is not essential for an application from an accredited museum, the project must have the endorsement of Northern Ireland Museums Council.

• If the applicant is a community or voluntary organisation, it must have an agreed constitution which includes arts, culture (including leisure) or heritage as a primary objective of the body.

The programme is particularly keen to welcome applications for Changing Places facilities, accessible equipment for play parks and projects that will impact positively on sustainability and climate change.

Grants of up to £30,000 are available, to fund up to 90% of total project costs.

The deadline for applications is 14 September 2023 (5pm).

For more information and to apply, please visit Funding opportunities for Accredited Museums | NIMC

The Primary Club - James Fund

The Primary Club (the Club), now in its 68th year, provides financial support for a wide range of recreational and sporting facilities for the blind and visually impaired (VI). It is the major supporter of the thriving network of VI cricket clubs in the UK. But, while its origins and heart are in cricket, the Club also supports VI futsal, goalball, golf, skiing, swimming, tandem cycling and Braille chess.  

The Club is both a registered charity and a membership organisation – open to anyone who has ever been out first ball, in any form of cricket (from a game in the back garden to an Ashes Test Match). It is run entirely by volunteers and its income is derived from donations, legacies and occasional events.  

In 2022/23, the Club made grants to 43 clubs and organisations. The average grant was just under £4,000. However, following a significant legacy in 2023 from the late Kenneth G James, the Trustees are keen to encourage applications for more substantial funding for relevant new projects. 

How much funding is available?

The Trustees have earmarked a total of £75,000 for this initiative. The maximum amount  available for any individual applicant or project is £25,000. There is no lower limit,  although applicants for less than £10,000 may be better advised to apply under the normal  process.  

Which projects are eligible?

The following criteria apply to all funding provided by the Club 

• All projects must relate clearly to the sporting and/or recreational needs of the blind  and partially sighted.  

• The Trustees generally prefer to support ‘grass roots’ and ‘start up’ activities rather than, for example, international teams of visually impaired sportsmen and women. 

• The Trustees generally prefer to fund the whole of the cost of a project, even where this is spread across two or more years, rather than to be one of a number of  contributors.  

• The Trustees generally prefer to support running costs or the purchase of equipment, as distinct from items which will significantly increase the recipient’s long-term asset  base.  

For more information and to apply, please visit Trustees launch James Fund – The Primary Club