The Good Relations Awards 2024 are open for nominations

The Awards spotlight the vital role that Good Relations plays in delivering peacebuilding and community cohesion throughout Northern Ireland.

The Good Relations Awards are run annually by the Community Relations Council in partnership with The Executive Office (TEO).

You can help us recognise this exceptional commitment to good relations by the people who strive to make our communities better for all.

This year there are five Award categories:

• The Community Relations Council Exceptional Achievement Award;

• Good Relations Volunteer of the Year Award;

• Good Relations Community Champion Award;

• Good Relations Youth Award (Under 25)

• Good Relations Connecting Communities Project of the Year Award.

The Awards are delivered with support from these organisations: Volunteer Now; NICVA; NI Youth Forum, and Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

If you know someone in Northern Ireland deserving of recognition – nominate them now for the Good Relations Awards 2024.

Closing date: Tuesday 19 December 2023 at 12 noon.

To nominate, please visit this link: Home - Good Relations Awards 2024

Community and Arts Grants open for applications

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is offering over £268k of funding to assist local community groups and artists in 2024/25.

Several grants are now open for applications - click on each of the following links for more information:
Community Support Grant
Community Festivals Fund
Community Development Bursary Award
Arts Grants and Bursaries

Deadlines are quite tight and grants must applied for online before 12 noon on Friday 15th December 2023.

Those interested in applying for a grant scheme are strongly encouraged to attend an information workshop.  The workshop dates and times are:

• Tuesday 28 November in Bridge Community Centre, Lisburn, at 7pm

• Thursday 30 November via zoom at 7pm

• Wednesday 6 December in Moneyreagh Community Centre, at 7pm

Please note that an online workshop has been organised specifically for those who in the past were unable to attend information workshops.  It is strongly recommended that you attend the information workshop as this will support you in complete the form properly and help you with the monitoring forms and should you be successful. 

Please book your place at the information workshop by emailing Community Services

Nike and Spotify’s Fund to Get Girls Moving Through Music

The Make Moves Fund, a social-impact-led initiative, is provided by Nike and Spotify and administered by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) on their behalf.

The funding is for UK-based community organisations to pioneer innovative, girl-first programmes that combine music and movement with the expectation that the mental health and wellbeing of girls aged 10 to 17 years from diverse and low socioeconomic backgrounds will be improved by moving through music.

UK registered charities and Community Interest Companies can apply for grants of up to £20,000 as long as they:

• Have an income of at least £40,000 in the last financial year.

• Have a bank account in the name of their organisation.

• Are able to report demonstrable impact and progress at the end of the six month grant period.

They must also have a proven track record in at least one of the following areas:

• Working with girls aged 10-17.

• Delivering programmes to encourage people to be more active.

• Working with young people to improve their mental wellbeing.

Projects need to meet the following criteria:

• Reach girls from diverse backgrounds, aged anywhere between 10-17 (inclusive). Inclusive proposals reaching anyone who identifies as a girl are welcome.

• Leverages the power of music to engage the least active girls in regular movement. ‘Least active’ is defined as girls who do not meet the Chief Medical Officer guidelines of taking part in sport and physical activity for an average of 60 minutes or more a day.

• Are creative, innovative, and scalable by design.

• Rooted in improving the confidence and mental wellbeing of girls.

• Co-created with input from the girls the applicant organisation work with.

The programme must run regularly and be delivered in the UK for at least four months between 1 March and 31 August 2024.

The deadline for applications is 30 November 2023 with notification of decisions by end of January 2024. Please visit Make Moves Fund: empowering girls through music and dance. Nike UK

Funding to Support Youth-Led Social Action Across the UK

Co-op Foundation, in partnership with Co-op and the #iwill Fund, is offering grants of up to £20,000 for groups to support young activists, campaigners, disrupters, co-operates, and social entrepreneurs to lead social action to improve their communities and build upon Co-op’s vision of ‘Co-operating for a Fairer World’.

Through the Young Gamechangers Fund, a total of £600,000 is available for groups with an income of less than £250,000 that are:

• Committed to engaging in long-term projects as part of a network of young gamechangers.

• Focused on creating sustainable positive social change that aims to have a lasting impact on individuals and the wider community.

• Proposing or leading social action work that has a clear purpose.

• Rooted in the Young Gamechangers Fund priorities.

Preference will be given to groups that have previously not had access or experienced barriers to funding, groups that are led by and for marginalised communities, and groups that prioritise youth activism and shared power.

Funding can be used for specific project costs, or core and ongoing cores such as salaries, overheads, or other activities that support the group’s work.

There is a two-stage application process. Groups must submit an online eligibility test before being invited to complete a full application.

The deadline for applications is 19 December 2023 (noon). 

For more information please visit £4.5m Young Gamechangers Fund - Co-op Foundation (coopfoundation.org.uk)

The Fore’s Unique Funding Programme Opens for Spring 2024 Registration on 6 December

The Fore is the only open-access funder in the UK offering development funding and strategic support to early-stage charities and social enterprises who have exceptional leadership, innovative idea and cost-effective solutions.

The Fore offers a ‘wraparound’ package of unrestricted, multi-year grant-funding (up to £30,000) training, skilled volunteers, peer-to-peer networks and impact measurement to UK registered charities, CIOs, CICs, and social enterprises with an annual revenue of less than £500,000 in the previous completed financial year.

The funding is intended to have a transformational impact on the organisations being supported by unlocking exponential growth, sustainability, efficiency or some other major step forward.

The unrestricted funding can be used for any purpose, including core costs and capital funding. The grant could help, for example, an organisation grow, increase internal capacity, serve new beneficiary groups, become more sustainable or more efficient, etc. Applications for core costs must show how the funding will move the organisation forward rather than enabling ‘business as usual’.

There are three funding rounds each year (Spring, Summer, Autumn).

The next funding round will open for registration at noon on 6 December 2023 and close at noon on 13 December 2023.

Please visit Home - The Fore

Growth Events Fund

As part of the Borough Events Strategic Direction, Ards and North Down Borough Council is releasing a new multi-annual Growth Events Fund to support existing events.

The Growth Events Fund will open for applications on MONDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2023 at 12noon and close on MONDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2023 at 12noon.

To apply to the Growth Events Fund, you must meet with the Events Team to discuss the eligibility of your event. If your event is eligible, you will be sent an application form to complete.

Please contact tourismgrants@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk to organise a meeting and for further information.

Please note, all successful applications are subject to budget confirmation from the rates setting process.

Organisations can only make one application annually to Council events funding schemes.

Download Guidance Notes. Guidance Notes will be available in different formats upon request and will be available from Monday 6th November 2023.

Applicants should also refer to the Event Management Toolkit | Ards and North Down Borough Council for more information and guidance to assist you in organising your event. This includes the Event Management Guide, the Event Management Plan Template, the Risk Assessment Template and the Council Land Request Form.

Please visit Growth Events Fund | Ards and North Down Borough Council

Apply for a free defibrillator for your community

Applications for a free, BHF-funded defibrillator are now open. Applications will close on 15 March 2024. 

All eligible UK-based community groups can apply. Each organisation can only apply for one award package.  

A limited number of funded defibrillators are available. Applications will be reviewed monthly against a set of criteria so defibrillators can be awarded to communities that need them most. 

For more information please visit Defibrillator funding for your local community - BHF

Funding for places

Our main grants programme provides support for places. These grants are for capital initiatives, i.e. buildings (new build or refurbishment) and equipment.

We fund a broad range of organisations working across the fields of education, science & medicine, health & disability, heritage, humanities & the arts.

Who can apply?

Before you apply for funding, please check the types of places we fund and their specific funding criteria. You can also take our eligibility quiz to see if we could support your project.

For more information please visit Funding for places - The Wolfson Foundation

Help the Homeless

Help the Homeless are a small charity with limited funds available. Please check carefully that both your organisation and your project meet the criteria before making an application.

CRITERIA

• Your organisation must be registered with the Charity Commission in England, Wales or Northern Ireland or a registered Scottish Charity.

• We are able to help only small charities with an annual turnover of less than £500,000.

• We can only accept applications towards the funding of capital projects. We are unable to accept applications towards running/core costs. Note: we are also unable to consider requests for computers and IT equipment.

• We provide small grants of up to £5,000. We do not consider multi-year requests.

• There should be a minimum period of two years between the receipt of a decision or grant from us and making a further application.

APPLICATION FORM

All applicants must complete our online application form. Please note we no longer accept applications by post or email.

DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS

The quarterly deadlines for applications for funding each year are: 5pm on 15th March/15th June/15th September/15th December.
You will be informed of the Trustees’ decision within eight weeks of each deadline.

EXAMPLE GRANTS

Examples of recent grants made can be found here.

For more information please visit Applying for Funding — Help the Homeless (help-the-homeless.org.uk)

The Live-Smart Community Environment Grant

The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough is known worldwide for its beautiful scenery and amazing visitor experience.  Council wants to preserve that for years and generations to come – this requires everyone making a conscious effort to live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

The purpose of the LiveSmart Community Environmental Grant Programme is to provide small grants up to a maximum of £500 to local community and voluntary organisations.  The grants are to give financial assistance to allow groups and organisations to:-

1. improve the general cleanliness in their local area, particularly in respect of litter

2. promote recycling, reuse and waste reduction

3. look at ways of reducing carbon footprint by taking simple, practical actions such as planting

Community groups and organisations are being encouraged and supported to keep their local area clean and tidy, promote recycling, reuse and waste reduction and have a positive impact on their carbon footprint.  There are a number of specific objectives which applicants must address.  Your application can address more than one objective but only one is necessary.

• RecycleSmart: aims to reduce waste by educating, engaging and inspiring us all to buy less, reuse more, recycle and compost.

• LitterSmart: aims to reduce litter through education, encouraging responsible disposal and supporting local people to  carry out litter lifts.

• ClimateSmart:aims to reduce our carbon footprint by increasing our knowledge of sustainability and empowering change with simple, practical actions such as planting vegetables, fruit, native shrubs and pollinator plants

Applicants can request a grant up to a maximum of £500. You can only apply for one grant per year.  Applications for the LiveSmart Community Environmental Grant Programme should be submitted online at http://grants.ccgbcapps.com/

This is a rolling programme and will remain open until all funds are expended.

Tyrone Three Community Benefit Fund (Gortfinbar, Eshmore and Altamuskin)

This local community fund has been set up by Energia Renewables, working in close partnership with local groups from the areas surrounding the Tyrone 3 Windfarms.  The Tyrone 3 Windfarms comprises three farms, which are:

• Altamuskin      (6 wind turbines / 14.1MW)

• Eshmore           (3 wind turbines / 7.0MW)

• Gortfinbar       (5 wind turbines / 15.0.MW)

The windfarms are situated in close proximity to each other between the town of Ballygawley and the villages of Carrickmore, Sixmilecross and Beragh in County Tyrone. They are located in the Mid Ulster District and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council areas respectively.

Energia has set up the fund to ensure that the wind farm, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, will also provide significant social and economic benefits to the local community. The Tyrone 3 Windfarms Community Benefit Fund will be administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

Funding will be available to local community projects that are planned and run for the benefit of the local population and are within 7 miles of the centre of the three windfarms – as per map.

In the event of oversubscription, priority will be given to projects based within 5 miles of the centre of the three windfarms – as per map. 

The fund will support projects addressing issues within the following theme areas:

• Energy efficiency and sustainability

• Social, cultural or sporting benefit for the local community

• Educational issues with a sustainability angle

• Environmental benefit or economic benefit

Fund priorities:

• Projects that improve the utilisation of existing community space in areas within the fund boundary.

• Contributions towards running/administration costs and for purchasing additional equipment to expand and support new and existing services/activities in each of the 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.

• Applicants are encouraged to network, share best practice and co-operate more between the areas. Projects which demonstrate the ability to collaborate, network and share best practice will be encouraged and supported.

• Projects and programmes offering invaluable advice and information and signposting on key Rural issues should be supported e.g. Farm Support Services, Welfare & amp; Benefits and Parenting/Family issues etc.

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

• 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.

Examples of who can apply:

• Constituted voluntary organisations and community groups

• Local youth groups

Examples of projects that the fund might support:

• Local cultural projects recording and researching history

• Establishment of a “Men’s Shed” or other similar initiative

• Small capital works to a community facility

• Environmental awareness projects

• Activities supporting young people, the elderly, those with disabilities

• Community wide events

• Strategic projects that will benefit a number of communities, including partnership applications

Grants size:

Grants up to £5,000

Closing date for applications is 8th December 2023 at 1pm

For more information and to apply, please visit Tyrone Three Community Benefit Fund (Gortfinbar, Eshmore and Altamuskin) - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

Digital Evolution Programme for NI Arts Organisations

Funding is available to provide arts organisations in Northern Ireland with skills in the use of digital technology to create digital art.

The Organisations Digital Evolution Awards programme aims to support those arts organisations who are making digital art for the first time or are working with digital or immersive technology which they have not used previously.

Applications will be accepted from arts organisations, registered charities and other non-profit organisations. Collaborative applications from organisations working together in cross-discipline projects and activities are encouraged.

Examples of the types of projects that the programme will support include:

• Creation of a virtual environment or augmented reality environment, such as augmented reality visual arts or sound overlay on venues or geographical spaces.

• Using technology, such as 3D rendering and printing, to create artwork digitally which can either exist digitally or be manufactured into 3D physical objects.

• Using technology to translate data into artistic content, for example algorithms that create music or visual content from data input.

• App development for the delivery of artistic content - this could include gamification or making an artistic experience for consumption on digital devices.

• Piloting new forms of support to individual artists or organisations that results in the creation of digital art.

Projects must take place between 1 February 2024 and 31 January 2025.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available.

The deadline for applications is 1 December 2023 (12 noon).

For more information and to apply, please visit National Lottery Organisations Digital Evolution… | Arts Council NI (artscouncil-ni.org)

Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust Announce Themes for 2024/25 Funding

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust has announced the themes for 2024 and 2025 for which it will offer funding.

The Trust operates a three-year rotation system, with different fields of interests being funded each year.

In 2024, support will be available for the following priorities:

• Rounds 1 and 2 – Disability, specifically employment and training for people living with disabilities to ensure better access.

• Rounds 3 and 4 – Food Poverty (due to the increasing levels across the UK).

In 2025, support will be available for the following priorities (full details published toward the end of 2024):

• Rounds 1 and 2 - Access to the Arts.

• Rounds 3 and 4 - Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

The project must fall within the relevant category for the year the application is submitted, and organisations may only make one application during any one year.

The Trust awards grants of either £1,000 or £5,000 depending on the grant round.

Organisations registered with the Charity Commission (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or OSCR, or exempt from registration, can apply.

The level of grant awarded is determined by the income of the charity:

• Grants of £1,000 are available for charities with an operating income of between £100,000 and £1 million.

• Grants of £5,000 are available for charities with a minimum operating income of £1 million. There is no maximum level.

There are four grant rounds each year. Charities may only apply for one grant per calendar year.

The first round is expected to open on 1 February 2024 and close on 29 February 2024.

For more information please visit Home - The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust (austin-hope-pilkington.org.uk)

Sea-Changers’ Marine Conservation Social Fund Reopens for 2023

Sea Changers is offering up to seven grants of between £3,000 and £5,000 for UK-based charities and other not-for-profit groups to deliver marine conservation projects that also deliver health and wellbeing outcomes for participants and disadvantaged communities.

Through the Marine Conservation Social Fund, a total of £23,000 is available in 2023 for:

• Marine conservation education and engagement projects - such as campaigns or activities reaching out to and including those who do not access/engage with the sea and educating them about marine conservation issues and what they can do to help.

• Citizen science and/or practical/direct action projects – particularly where they engage disadvantaged communities and where they can show increased community cohesion/engagement and personal/health benefits of volunteering.

Sea-Changers is particularly interested in grassroots projects that galvanise community action, projects that increase the number of people acting for marine conservation, projects that may be formed through partnerships between marine conservation organisations and social welfare organisations, and pilot programmes that might be continued, expanded, or replicated with additional funding in future years.

The deadline for applications is 22 December 2023. 

For more information and to apply, please visit Marine Conservation Social Fund 2023 | Sea-Changers

Belfast City Council’s Small Grants 2024-25 Tranche 1

Belfast City Council’s Small Grants 2024-25 Tranche 1 are now open for applications for the grants listed below. The submission deadline for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Friday 12 January 2024.

1. Community Festivals Fund

2. Arts & Heritage

3. Good Relations

4. Parks Events

5. Sports Events

6. S4S Large Development Grant

7. S4S Small Development Grant

8. S4S Hospitality Grant

9. S4S Sporting Individual Grant

10. Community Summer Scheme

For further details, guidance notes and to apply online please visit our website www.belfastcity-grants.com or contact the Central Grants Unit Belfast City Council at cgugrants@belfastcity.gov.uk

BCC will be holding the following information sessions on how to apply for the Small Grants:

• Friday 17 November, 2pm-3:30pm, Banqueting Hall, City Hall

• Monday 20 November, 10:30am, Microsoft Teams

• Monday 20 November, 2pm, Microsoft Teams

• Monday 20 November, 7pm, Microsoft Teams

If you wish to attend any of the sessions, please contact the Central Grants Unit Belfast City Council at cgugrants@belfastcity.gov.uk

Police Property Fund Small Grants Scheme

The Police Property Fund Small Grants Scheme will open a third call for funding applications on 1 November 2023.

The Fund, which comprises assets recovered by the PSNI as the result of criminal investigations, is administered by the Board in line with the Police (Property) Regulations NI 1997.

The Board has agreed a Grant Funding Policy which will ensure available monies are used to benefit projects which deliver tangible benefits. This is in line with our Corporate and Policing Plan commitments to achieving the following 3 key outcomes:

• We have a safe community;

• We have confidence in policing; and

• We have engaged and supportive communities

The Small Grants Scheme offers project funding in the range £1000-£10,000. Applications must demonstrate the following criteria to be eligible for consideration:

• Engagement with the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

• Contribute to community safety/ and or building confidence in policing; and

• Closely aligned towards a charitable purpose.

 If you would like more information or to register your interest, just email policepropertyfund@nipolicingboard.org.uk

Sports Group Grants

The Public Health Agency, through the Clear Project, are offering constituted voluntary sector sports clubs in the Western Trust area the opportunity to avail of training, which will help them support their members and receive up to £500 worth of relevant sports equipment for their club.

In order to receive this aid clubs must:

• Be a constituted voluntary sector sports club and enclose a copy of this document and a list of their committee members.

• Be appropriately insured or prepared to obtain appropriate insurance if awarded.

• Enclose the most recent annual accounts or statement of income and expenditure which must be approved and signed by an officeholder.

• Operate within the Western Trust area.

• Have a significant impact upon or involvement from their local community.

• Must have a minimum of 3 to 5 members attend training, either safeTALK or another relevant approved mental health programme (Level 1 Sport NI Level 1 Mental Health Awareness e-learning module and Zero Suicide Alliance).

 Please note: This must be members who have a significant input / involvement / role within the club. 

Equipment requested should help the club develop activities that meet the needs of the local community and support the delivery of the ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’.  These are five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing through the themes of ‘Connect’, ‘Be active’, ‘Take Notice’, ‘Keep Learning’ and ‘Give’.

To claim funding from the Clear project clubs will be asked to:

1. Submit grant application, then once accepted complete training.

2. Seek out a quote for the equipment (quote to be approved by the Clear Project).

3. Pay the chosen supplier directly. Where a club cannot provide sufficient evidence of proper financial processes, the Clear Project will pay for direct invoices/items needed.

4. Submit an invoice made out to the Clear Project for the amount spent, accompanied with the receipt/s as proof of purchase.

If the club does not have the finances, then requests for advance payment will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Any relevant sports club within the Western Trust area can apply for the funding however preference will be given to:

• Groups operating in the top 20% most disadvantaged Super output areas (SOA’s).

• Those with lower capacity.

Please note: The funding award will not be released until all training has been completed, and all paperwork has been returned.  All training must be completed by 31st January 2024.

Closing date for application is Monday 6th November, at 3pm

To apply, please download and complete an application form below:

• Announcement Flyer

• Guidance for Applicants - Process for purchase of Sports Equipment

• Application form 2023

• safeTALK Training Flyer

• Take 5 Flyer

• List of SOA's

Completed application forms and supporting documents will be accepted by email to annemarie@dhcni.com

Skills and Innovation Fund

We are delighted to announce the launch of the second year of the Tacking Textiles Grant: Skills and Innovation. This follows the successful pilot grant last year, where we supported five different projects across Northern Ireland. 

These projects included:

• developing skills within schools and communities around repair and reuse.

• supporting vulnerable groups to access sewing classes. 

• developing innovative online resources to inspire people.

• supporting a local business to bring sewing and repair skills into the community and corporate world.

We are looking for your ideas that support tackling textile waste through waste prevention, reuse, repair and reimagine.

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful is administering the grant provided by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) – Waste Prevention Policy Branch to explore ways to reduce the environmental impacts of textiles.

The production, consumption and disposal of clothing and textiles is a growing environmental issue both locally and globally. Across the UK we are throwing away over one million tonnes of textile waste with up to 300,000 tonnes ending up in landfill or incinerated*. 

According to WRAP clothing/textiles has the fourth largest environmental impact after housing, transport, and food.

We are looking for your ideas that help tackle this growing issue.

Value of grants available 

Between £500 to £2,500

We would welcome applications from the following types of organisations:

• Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (under 250 employees)

• Social enterprises

• Charities

• Not for profit organisations 

• Community & voluntary groups 

Currently not open to: 

• School and third level education organisations

• Sports clubs, churches, and youth groups

• Unconstituted groups

• Large enterprises (over 250 employees)

What type of projects will the Tackling Textile – Skills & Innovation Fund? 

We are looking for ideas that support:

1. Waste Prevention

2. Reuse and Repair Models

3. Reimagine 

Waste Prevention 

Materials and design innovation is critical to the future of a circular economy. By preventing waste at the design stage of product development, we can have consumption that is healthier and performs better for our people and the planet.

Reuse/Repair Models 

Reuse and repair are essential in the development of a more circular economy. Reuse of products and materials is more beneficial as it retains a product’s inherent value by keeping it in use for longer. This minimises waste, create jobs, has positive social impact, reduces consumption, and associated carbon impacts.

Reimagine

Climate change is real; we know the impact; we know we must act, and we know that we must make changes to our current model of ‘take-make-dispose.’  We are looking for new ways to tackle the problem of production, consumption, and disposal of textile waste with the aim of creating a more circular textile economy.

For more information and to apply please visit Tackling Textiles - Skills and Innovation Fund (Pilot Programme) (etinu.net)

Closing date for applications is Thursday 9th November 2023 at 5pm

LCCC Hardship Funding Programme 2023/24

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has developed a Hardship Funding Programme to support constituted/legally governed community and voluntary /not for profit organisations to address hardship due to the current cost of living crisis, particularly the increase in energy and food costs.  There is an overall allocation of £140,000 available.

The Hardship Funding Programme is developed in recognition of the difficult financial circumstances which currently exist in the community and voluntary sector, especially in respect of covering basic overheads which have increased substantially in cost.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon Friday 3rd November. Late applications will not be accepted.

This fund aims to assist local grass roots groups to:

• keep their community buildings operational for existing services

• provide additionality in programming for local community/individuals who are facing hardship

• enhance service delivery by keeping facilities open and possibly longer during the autumn/winter months

• provide sustenance and resources for the local community/individuals including supporting or developing community fridge initiatives, addressing fuel poverty, holiday hunger initiatives and/or meal projects

• develop or enhance a community planting scheme for materials to grow and supply perishable goods in their community.

For more information and to apply please visit Hardship Funding Programme (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk)

Renewable Energy Fund

Sport NI Renewable Energy Fund is a £1million pound National Lottery investment for 2023/24, which seeks to reduce the environmental impact of sports clubs throughout Northern Ireland.

The Renewable Energy Fund has one overarching objective:

“To reduce the environmental impact of sports clubs in Northern Ireland.”

However, the programme also has secondary objectives, which reflect commitments made in Sport NI’s Corporate Plan – The Power of Sport (2021-2026), including:

• To reduce the environmental footprint of sports clubs.

• To reduce carbon emissions at sports clubs.

• To contribute to a more sustainable sports club network.

• To create a ‘greener’ sports club sector.

• To save on utility bills and reduce costs, enabling sports clubs to redirect resources back into their clubs/sport.

REMEMBER: any applicant making an application must also complete an Environmental Sustainability Survey to be eligible.

HOW THIS PROGRAMME WILL BE DELIVERED

In 2023/24 the Renewable Energy Fund will operate as a ‘pilot programme’. Subsequently, the ‘pilot’ will not use scoring criteria and applications will not be assessed. The primary purpose of the pilot programme is to provide learning to Sport NI so that we become more knowledgeable about types of energy interventions and their impact, as well as helping to shape future rounds of the Renewable Energy Fund (subject to budget availability).

The application form takes approximately 1-2 minutes to complete. Applications to this Pilot Programme will be selected at random (process outlined in the information and guidance notes), with those selected progressing with project delivery. The programme is being delivered in two main stages:

• Project Development and Project Delivery.

At the Project Development stage, applicants will be required to procure an energy consultant to undertake a ‘building energy survey’ which will identify potential energy projects (more information at Chapter 11). At the development stage the maximum project value will be £3,000.

At the Project Delivery stage, applicants will procure suppliers/contractors to undertake the installation works for the preferred energy project (more information at Chapter 11). At the delivery stage the maximum project value will be £30,000.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The Renewable Energy Fund Pilot Programme will ONLY accept applications from the following organisations who either own or operate their own sports facilities:

• Sports clubs (affiliated to a Sport Northern Ireland recognised governing body of sport).

WHAT TYPE OF PROJECTS CAN BE FUNDED?

Sport NI are interested in taking forward the following types of energy projects within sports clubs:

• Solar Energy Systems (and ancillary equipment).

• Air Source Heating Systems (and ancillary equipment).

• Ground Source Heating Systems (and ancillary equipment).

• Sustainable Water Recycling Systems.

• Fixed Floodlight Upgrades (Specifically upgrades to LED Bulbs and Connection to Grid).

Sport NI may consider alternative interventions if recommended in your club energy audit, and if the benefits of that intervention have been clearly articulated.

For more information and to apply, please visit Renewable Energy Fund | Sport NI

Deadline 30 October 2023 (4pm).