REGIOSTARS Awards 2026 – Applications Now Open

The European Commission has opened the 2026 REGIOSTARS Awards, which celebrate outstanding EU funded projects that demonstrate excellence in regional development and long lasting impact.

PEACE and INTERREG projects are encouraged to apply. If your project has delivered strong local impact, introduced innovation or created meaningful economic, social or environmental benefits, you may be well placed to enter this year’s competition. 

Applications can be submitted through the REGIOSTARS application form. The deadline for entries is 22 May 2026.

Change Makers - book a one to one meeting to discuss your application

You can arrange a one-to-one meeting with a member of our team to discuss your application by emailing changemakers@cooperationireland.org

If you are already applying for a grant and would like us to be of help, please:     

1. Log-in to your JEMS online application form click here

2. Add the email address changemakers@cooperationireland.org with rights to ‘edit’ the application under the ‘Project privileges’ section of JEMS.

For more information please visit Change Maker Funding Programme | SEUPB

PEACEPLUS Funding Calls Now Open Under Investment Area 1.2 – Empowering Communities

Two funding calls are now open under the PEACEPLUS Programme’s Investment Area 1.2 – Empowering Communities. This investment area is designed to help organisations across the region strengthen peacebuilding, deepen cross‑community collaboration, and contribute to a more cohesive and prosperous society.

Strand 2: Institutional Capacity Development (Second Call)

This call is open to statutory bodies, local authorities, NGOs and civic organisations that wish to enhance their organisational capacity, improve cross‑community engagement, and play a stronger role in delivering sustainable peacebuilding outcomes. Projects supported under this Strand will focus on strengthening institutions so they can better respond to the needs of diverse communities.

Strand 3: Community‑Based Safety Interventions (Second Call)

This Strand welcomes applications from community and voluntary groups working to improve safety, cohesion and trust at a local level. The focus is on practical initiatives that address community tensions, reduce harm, and create safer, more resilient neighbourhoods.

Both calls aim to support initiatives that build positive relations, promote respect for cultural diversity, and help create a society where people can live, learn and socialise together free from prejudice and intolerance.

For more information, please visit Current funding opportunities | SEUPB

Local Community Spaces Fund

Local Community Spaces funding is to support community groups throughout the UK who provide a safe space for people to meet and be together.

We know accessible community spaces can be a lifeline for local people, and many of these spaces require funding to repair, renovate and develop them so that they can continue delivering vital activities and services. In addition, loneliness and isolation continue to be highlighted through our Community Insight Survey as top areas of concern for local communities throughout the UK.

Through our Local Community Spaces Fund, we will continue playing our part in helping to fund safe and welcoming community spaces that bring people together, connect communities and address loneliness and isolation. We have invested over £3 million in community hubs since 2022, and for 2026, will commit over £1 million in grant funding support.

For a full PDF version of the Local Community Spaces Fund Criteria, please click here.

*Applications may close earlier if demand is high or if specific regions become oversubscribed. Any changes to this programme will be announced on the Asda Foundation website, social media accounts, and grant management system. We aim for a fair spread of applications across the UK. Where multiple applications come from the same area, we will select projects that best meet the programme’s funding priorities and objectives. We reserve the right to reduce application values or remove items that don’t meet criteria or align with programme objectives.

For more information and to apply, please visit Local Community Spaces Fund | Asda Foundation

Community Care Fund

We’re supporting community projects across the UK that bring people together and make a positive difference.

Three winning projects will receive a £3,000 grant each.

To nominate a local project, simply complete the form below. Deadline for all entries is 23:59 on 31st May 2026.

Make a real difference in your community

We’re looking for local projects across the UK that will create a meaningful, lasting impact.
This could be:

• Equipment for inclusive sports or activity groups

• Revamping a village hall or community centre

• Supplies for a community garden or green space

• Equipment for food banks, community larders or support services

• Brightening up a charity or community group’s space

• New equipment for a pre-school or playground

Our judges will shortlist 12 projects – one from every UK region – which will then go head-to-head in a public vote on social media.

The three projects with the most votes will win a £3,000 grant each.

How to enter

Tell us how £3,000 would make a difference to your community.

Use the form to submit your entry. We need to know:

• Name of the not-for-profit organisation

• Name and contact details of the person responsible (aged 18+)

• The UK region your project is in

• A short description of the project and how a £3,000 grant would benefit your community

• At least one photograph showing what the funding is needed for

You can also enter by email to caremark@pmwcom.co.uk or by post.

By entering, you confirm that all information is accurate and that appropriate consent has been obtained for any identifiable individuals in photographs.

For more information, please visit Community Care Fund | Caremark

Barclays Community Sport Fund

At Barclays, we believe in creating opportunities through access to sport. That’s why, in partnership with Sported, the Barclays Community Sport Fund offers grants, bespoke support, and exclusive ticketing opportunities to make football, tennis, and cricket more accessible to women and girls in communities across the UK.

Is my club or group eligible to apply?

The £1.4 million-a-year fund provides grants to community groups that are:

Making football, cricket, or tennis more accessible to women and girls

AND

Operating in areas of high deprivation*

*We will consider applications from groups engaging women and girls with disabilities or facing challenges of rural isolation, that are not in deprived areas.

What can I apply for?

• A £1000 grant to help sustain and increase access to football, tennis, and cricket for women and girls

• Funding for football, tennis, and cricket coaching courses to help increase the number of female coaches delivering sport to girls

If successful for funding, your group will also be able to access:

• Exclusive match tickets, mascot places, and promotional opportunities

• Access to advice and support and signposting to training and resources

For more information and to apply, please visit Barclays Access Grant - Sported

The Society to Launch New Grants Programmes

The Honourable The Irish Society has provided grants to communities across Northern Ireland, for many years. Over the last 30 years, the Society has distributed in excess of £2.5 Million to communities. These grants have resulted in real impact for thousands of people.

We want to take the opportunity to thank the staff and volunteers who have joined with us to make that impact possible. We also want to thank our generous donors who have supported this work through their financial contributions.

The Society’s trustees have been focusing on how we can increase the impact we make through this work when looking at our plans for the future.  As a result of this, the Society’s grants programmes are being temporarily paused as of March 2026. This short pause is being put in place while the Society finalises new grants programmes to reflect our revised strategic focus.

The Society’s trustees have approved new future plans that focus on 3 key themes:

• Early Years Education

• Improving our Waterways

• Promoting Culture, Heritage and Reconciliation.

If you wish to find out more about our new programmes, please use the link below to register your details. You will then be notified when the Society’s new grants programmes above are released.

Society Grants Programme Enquiry Form – Fill in form

Kellogg’s Breakfast Grants Programme Accepting Applications for 2026

Kellogg’s, in partnership with Forever Manchester, is accepting applications for the Breakfast Club Grants Programme.

Grants of up to £1,000 are available for state schools across the UK to help fund breakfast clubs aimed at pupils between reception class and year 13 to ensure that those who need it most receive a morning meal.

Priority will be given to schools that either:

• Have 35% and above of children eligible for pupil premium funding (for England) and eligible for free school meals (Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales); or

• Are based in an area which is classified as falling in the 10% of most deprived areas (20% for secondary schools) according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Funding can be used for costs associated with project delivery. For example, this could include food, staffing costs, or items like play or kitchen equipment.

Only one grant per school in each academic year is available. A limited number of grants are available, and the fund may close at short notice if oversubscribed. Non-state schools are not eligible to apply.

Applications can be submitted at any time. For more information, please visit Grants For Schools | Kellogg's

Barclays Community Sport Fund (Access Grant) Opens to Applicants Across the UK

The Barclays Community Sport Fund, delivered in partnership with Sported, aims to reduce inequalities in sport. 

The Access Grant is available to support the delivery of football, tennis or cricket activities for women and girls. Not-for-profit organisations, including charities, community groups, youth groups and traditional sports clubs can apply for funding but only one grant can be awarded to each organisation.

Groups must:

• Deliver football, cricket or tennis activities for women and girls (or can apply for funding to start activities).

• Operate in an area of high deprivation.

Additionally, applications can be considered for projects engaging women and girls with disabilities or facing challenges of rural isolation that are not in deprived areas.

Grants of £1,000 are available.

The closing date for applications is 27 May 2026 (17:00). For more information, please visit Barclays Community Sport Fund - Sported

Goldsmiths’ Foundation Opens Applications for Craft Focused Organisations

The Goldsmiths’ Foundation (formerly, the Goldsmiths’ Company Charity), a grant-making charity first established in the 19th century, focusses on advancing creative, technical, and vocational skills, education and training in the craft and trade of goldsmithing, silversmithing and jewellery – as well as in the wider creative industries.

The Foundation is currently accepting application to its open grants programme.

This round is focused on organisations working primarily in craft. It aims to:

• Strengthen technical and vocational skills infrastructure in underserved craft communities.

• Champion the contribution that skilled makers, designers and craftspeople make to more just and equitable communities.

• Grow the systems and networks that allow craft and vocational practice to thrive equitably.

A total of £600,000 is available.

Grants of between £30,000 and £50,000 are available.

Operating/core cost grants and project activity grants are available.

Applications will be accepted from:

• UK registered charities

• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)

• Excepted and exempt charities.

The deadline for applications is 11 May 2026 (10am).

For more information, please visit Open Grants Fund — The Goldsmiths' Company

Registration Deadline for Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (Northern Ireland Programme) Confirmed

Funding is available for UK-registered charities whose work promotes peace, equality, inclusion and human rights, contributing to the ongoing transformation of Northern Ireland.

Although the main focus of the programme is Northern Ireland, the committee does consider applications for initiatives that work on an all-island basis, or those that strengthen civil society relationships on an East-West or North-South basis (in partnership with organisations in Britain and Ireland).

The programme has three priority areas:

• Strengthening human rights and equality.

• Reimagining society.

• Cultivating peace and reconciliation.

No minimum or maximum amount of grant is specified.

Groups must register before applying to the fund.

For the current round, the registration closing date is 19 August 2026. The closing date for applications is 2 September 2026. For more information please visit Funding priorities

2026 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Impact Programme Accepting Applications

An annual accelerator programme providing funding, support and mentoring to social enterprises in Ireland that are progressing innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges is accepting applications.

Established by both private foundations and individuals, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland was founded as a programme of The One Foundation in 2004. At the core of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland activities is the Impact Programme which provides financial investment and direct support to early-stage social entrepreneurs.

The programme is open to social entrepreneurs living in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, who must be aged 18 years or over at the time of applying for the programme. The organisation must have been actively delivering a solution (either as a sole trader or legally incorporated) for 12 months or more.

Impact Programme Awardee organisations will receive support in key business areas and direct funding worth between €20,000 and €30,000.

The deadline for applications is 20 April 2026.

For more information, please visit Impact Programme - Social Entrepreneurs Ireland

Caremark Community Care Fund

Closing date 31/05/2026

Funding is available for UK-based community groups, charities, and not-for-profit organisations to support local projects that deliver a positive and lasting impact on their communities.

Small grants are available to support grassroots community projects that improve quality of life and strengthen local communities. The fund supports practical, community-led initiatives, such as improving shared spaces, providing equipment, or enhancing local services, with a focus on delivering meaningful and lasting impact.

Grants of £3,000 are available.

The competition is open to UK-based community groups, charities, not-for-profit organisations, schools, pre-schools, and community or local authority-run projects.

Applicants must be UK residents aged 18 or over and may apply on behalf of an eligible community project.

Funding supports a wide range of community-focused projects, including:

• Equipment for inclusive sports or activity groups.

• Revamping a village hall or community centre.

• Supplies for a community garden or green space.

• Equipment for food banks, community larders or support services.

• Brightening up a charity or community group's space.

• New equipment for a pre-school or playground.

Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 31 May 2026 (23:59).

Twelve projects will be shortlisted - one from every UK region - and will then go head-to-head in a public vote. The three projects receiving the most votes will each win a grant.

Further information and the online application are available from the Caremark website

Community Care Fund | Caremark

DCSDC Funding for Sport now open

The Support for Sport Grant Aid Programme and Sports Committee maintenance Fund 2026/27 are now open and available to local sports clubs.

Sports Committee Maintenance Fund
Following the completion of the Playing Pitch Strategy, Derry City and Strabane District Council's Sports Committee has invested in a new Maintenance Fund that will provide financial assistance towards clubs who own and maintain their facilities and in particular playing pitches.Be Active Support for Sport Programme 2026-2027

Be Active Support for Sport
Be Active Support for Sport is a small grants programme primarily aimed at grassroots sports. The programme aims to prioritise investment in sports clubs, especially those based in areas of greatest need that will deliver demonstrable increases in sports participation amongst identified target groups.

For more details and how to apply please visit https://www.derrystrabane.com/.../sports-development/funding

Closing Date: Wednesday, 22nd April 2026 at 3 PM

Derry City and Strabane District Council has launched 2 Good Relations Funding Programmes:

Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund
This fund closes on Wed 22 April at 3.00 p.m.
This fund has grants of up to £10,000 and it is for proposals that operate at a city and district wide level.  It is to support organisations that are good relations practitioners to address good relations issues at a strategic level across the council area. 
Funding is intended to support organisations who are core good relations practitioners and for strategic projects that can make a measurable contribution to good relations.
 
This is a competitive fund with a limited budget.
For more details visit: www.dcsdcgrantaid.com
 

Good Relations Safer Communities Fund
This fund closes on Wed 22 April at 3.00 p.m.
This fund has grants of up to £10,000
This fund is to support strategic projects that can make a measurable contribution to making communities safer.  This fund is not intended to bolster PCSP funding.  It is standalone funding.  Funding for bonfires will not be considered under this fund.

This is a competitive fund with a limited budget.
For more details visit: www.dcsdcgrantaid.com

Please note the PCSP Small Project Support Programme 2026/2027 is also open
Small project support – projects must be delivered across all DEAs

Green Opportunities Fund

About the fund

Our £2.2m Green Opportunities Fund is a partnership between the Co-op Foundation and Co-op which will fund organisations across the UK that are supporting young people to consider green careers.  

We’re proud to partner with Co-op to strengthen our mission to build sustainable communities with equal access to opportunity. 

The Fund is informed by research. In 2023, our Gen Z(ero) report found that young people are keen to learn more about the transition to a sustainable economy, including what green job opportunities there were for them. This, along with the green skills gap in the UK, inspired us to consider a new fund that supported young people into green skills and jobs. Learn more about our research here. 

We worked with a group of eight young people (the ‘Environmental Collective’) who have acted as advisors to the fund development and will continue to support key decision making until the completion of this funding programme. 

Apply for our Green Opportunities Fund

Applications for the first round of our Green Opportunities Fund are now open. 

APPLY HERE

We hosted a webinar on Wednesday 18th March to share more information about the fund and answer questions about applications. Missed it?

Watch the full webinar here. 

We’d like to fund initiatives across the UK that are working to influence young people aged 14-20 to develop green skills and go into green jobs and careers. 

We welcome applications from:  

• Charities  

• Community Interest Companies (CICs)  

• Co-operatives  

• Community Benefit Societies 

View the fund guidelines here. 

Read our application questions here.  

View our Theory of Development here. 

Read our AI statement here. 

APPLY HERE

Applications close at midday on Friday 17th April.  

Have a question about applying for funding? Email foundation@coop.co.uk 

The Road Safety Trust - Large Grants

For grants over £50,000 and up to £200,000

This round has a two-stage application process. The purpose of this new approach is to provide prompt feedback to applicants and to provide further support to those invited to full application stage. Key dates:

• 7 April (9am) - Programme opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI). A recorded webinar on the application process will be available.

• 5 May (5pm) - Closing date for submitting EOIs.

• Early June - Review of EOIs completed; shortlisted applicants invited to submit full applications.

• Mid July - Closing date for submitting full applications.

• December 2026 - Decisions issued

Who can apply?

UK-based legally constituted organisations (charities, public sector organisations, universities, companies and professional organisations) are eligible to apply for funding from The Road Safety Trust.

Organisations will be considered for funding provided that it can be demonstrated that the project is for public benefit and is consistent with the Trust’s priorities.

Individuals are not eligible for Trust grants unless part of a wider research or project team.

Eligible Projects

This is a themed round that seeks to address two priority areas:

• Preventing harm linked to drug-impaired driving and motorised riding

• Safer vehicles

Eligible projects might include evidence reviews, trials, roll-outs, evaluations and support for the profession through guidance or other resources.

For more information, please visit Large Grants — Road Safety Trust

ACEs Main Grants Programme

Now in its fifth year, the Leathersellers’ Main Charity Grants Programme aims to help prevent and address the harm of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Four year grants of £20,000-£25,000 per annum are available to charities and CIOs throughout the UK.

• Expressions of Interest - Submit by: 5pm on Thursday 30 April 2026

• Invitation to Apply - Notification: 10am on Thursday 18th June 2026

• Grant amount - £20,000-£25,000 per annum

SUBMIT YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLINE HERE

We strongly recommend you draft your expression of interest using the offline form, available HERE. 

Please read the eligibility criteria and FAQs carefully before applying. Last year, we received 570 expressions of interest. This year, we expect similar demand, and to invite around 50 organisations to make full applications, with a view to award 25 multi-year grants.

For more information on who we currently fund, please see the ACEs page of our website.

Income of under £200,000? Read about applying for a small grant here.

Eligibility criteria

The ACEs Main Charity Grants Programme aims to support UK registered charities or charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs) but not Community Interest Companies (CIC) that:

• expect to have an annual organisational income of £200,000-£2,000,000

• have at least one year’s published accounts

• use a trauma-informed approach and evidence-based interventions

• have as their core focus, the goal to prevent and/ or reduce the harm of ACEs by providing services to children, young people and/ or adults (see ‘what we fund’ for details on ACEs)

• can demonstrate that the vast majority of people using the service have experienced ACEs/ are supporting people who have experienced ACEs, such as parents and caregivers (please see FAQs on how to evidence this)

• can demonstrate the effectiveness of their approach through evaluation or external research

• can demonstrate that the voice of service users/ experts by experience informs service design and delivery

UK funding opportunity for the Youth Homelessness & Racial Justice sectors

Comic Relief is excited to announce the launch a new funding opportunity in the coming weeks with two distinct pathways.  

Pathway 1: Seeks to fund organisations providing wrap-around support to young people aged 16–25 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.  

Pathway 2: Seeks to fund organisations that have the ambition and experience to advance racial justice through influence and advocacy within the homelessness sector, by challenging the systems and structures that create and sustain racial inequalities.  

Further funding criteria is being developed. More information about the funding and the application process will be made available w/c 30th March 2026.  

Please visit Funding opportunities | Comic Relief

The Fore’s Funding Programme Opens for Registration on 25 March

The Fore offers unrestricted funding to small charities and social enterprises with a turnover under £500,000 that are making a big impact and want to significantly grow, strengthen, or become more efficient or resilient.

The national funding programme is open to any sector and region within the UK with a particular interest in grassroots organisations working with underserved communities.

The unrestricted grants can be spread over one to three years and can be used for any purpose, including core costs and capital funding if the grants will help strengthen the organisation internally and help it to take the next step forward in its growth or sustainability. The grant could help, for example, an organisation grow, increase internal capacity, serve new beneficiary groups, become more sustainable or more efficient, etc.

To apply for funding, organisations must first register some basic contact details at the start of the funding round. Once their place on the funding round has been confirmed by email, they have three to four weeks to submit an application. Only organisations that have registered with the Fore and are allocated a place may submit an application for the specific funding round.

There are three funding rounds per year (Spring, Summer and Autumn) which open for registration for one week only.

Registration for the Spring 2026 round will open on 25 March (noon) and closes 1 April 2026 (noon). For more information please visit Home - The Fore