Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme

Grants are available for rural community-led, voluntary organisations to support projects that address issues of local poverty and social isolation, and to implement energy efficiency measures or environmental improvements.

Fund Information

Funding body: Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)

Maximum value: £ 2,500

Application deadline: 22/06/2026

Objectives of Fund

The funding is intended to support projects designed to:

• Help rural community-led, voluntary groups to address local issues of access poverty, financial poverty and social isolation.

• Improve the lives of rural communities, and in particular the wellbeing of isolated individuals.

• In line with the draft Green Growth Strategy for Northern Ireland, provide opportunity to community-led, voluntary groups to implement energy efficiency measures and environmental improvements.

Value Notes

Grants of between £500 and £2,500 are available, to fund up to 85% of total project costs.

The total project cost should not exceed £5,000.

Match Funding Restrictions

Applicants must provide match funding of at least 15%, in the form of a cash contribution.

Who Can Apply

Applications will be accepted from rural community or voluntary organisations or social economy enterprises located in Northern Ireland.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have a formal constitution or governing documents.

• Have a minimum of three people on their management committee.

• Have a bank or building society account in the name of the group, which requires at least two signatures for each withdrawal.

• Enclose a copy of their most recent accounts or a signed financial statement.

• Be the sole applicant and owner or lessee of the building for which the application is being made.

• Be appropriately insured or prepared to obtain appropriate insurance if awarded a grant (building or contents insurance as appropriate).

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Organisations based in urban areas.

• Individuals, sole traders and/or commercial trading companies.

• Companies that exist to distribute a profit.

• Statutory Authorities or organisations governed by Statutory Authorities.

• Appeals or charities set up to support statutory bodies.

• Organisations with an income in excess of £80,000 (not including in-year restricted funds, eg non-business/grant income).

• More than one application to modernise a building.

• Costs already incurred.

• Grants to be used to match another funder's project.

• Projects where the value of match funding is greater than the value of grant.

• Second-hand equipment.

• Training.

• Hospitality, food, drink.

• Clothing, uniforms

• Motorised vehicles.

• Running costs.

• Consumables eg ink cartridges, paper.

• Staff/volunteer expenses.

• Labour costs not directly associated with purchased capital works/items.

• Feasibility studies/reports.

Eligible Expenditure

Projects must focus on one of the following themes:

• Modernisation (of premises/assets).

• Information Communication Technology.

• Health and Wellbeing.

• Energy Efficiency/Environmental Improvements.

Grants can be used to purchase capital equipment, improve an asset, or extend the usable life of a capital asset.

Funding can also be used by organisations to implement energy efficiency measures and/or environmental improvements to their premises.

All projects must be completed and claims for grants submitted by 26 November 2026.

How To Apply

The deadline for applications is 22 June 2026 (noon).

Guidance notes and an online application form are available from the DAERA website.

Applicants must contact their local Rural Support Network for further details of the scheme and support to apply.

DAERA - Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme (RMCGS) 2026/27
Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme (RMCGS) 2026/27 | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Expressions of Interest Open – Maximising Community Space Programme

Rural community organisations across Northern Ireland and the border counties are invited to apply for the new Maximising Community Space (MCS) programme.

The programme will support 40 organisations to make better use of existing community spaces, helping them expand activities, increase participation, and strengthen local connections.

Successful groups will receive:

• Accredited training and mentoring support

• Networking and study visit opportunities

• Up to £10,000/€10,000 activity support

Maximising Community Space is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The programme is being delivered by Rural Action in partnership with Irish Rural Link and the Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network (NIRWN).

📅 Closing date for Expressions of Interest: Friday 19th June 2026.

For further information and application details visit Maximising Community Space - Rural Action

 📧 MCS@ruralaction.co
📞 +44 (0)28 8648 0900

True Colours Trust Invites Applications for Small Grants Programme

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for registered charitable organisations with an annual income of less than £350,000 across the United Kingdom to deliver projects that work to improve the lives of disabled children and young people up to the age of 25, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families.

The True Colours Trust Small Grants Programme will support projects such as:  

• Activities for disabled children, children with life-limiting conditions, and their families.

• Activities that support siblings of disabled children or siblings of children with life-limiting conditions.

• Bereavement support for children and young people and families bereaved of a child.

• Family and parent-led peer support for parents of disabled children.

• Respite, which supports the whole family.

Priority will be given to organisations that operate in areas of high deprivation.

Eligible costs include renovation work, upgrading, and additional equipment for hydrotherapy pools and multi-sensory rooms, minibuses, and specialised play equipment or access to play for disabled children, children with life-limiting conditions, and their families.

Applications can be submitted at any time. For moreinformation, please visit The True Colours Trust | UK small grants

Tesco Launches Fruit and Veg Grants

Tesco has launched a new Fruit and Veg Grants programme to support organisations working with children and young people to improve access to healthy food across the UK.

The funding is intended to help deliver activities that increase the availability of fruit and vegetables and support physical and mental wellbeing.

Grants are awarded through a customer voting process in Tesco stores. Three local projects are shortlisted at a time, with awards of up to £1,500 for the project receiving the most votes, up to £1,000 for second place and up to £500 for third place. Shortlisting takes place every four months.

The initiative is open to schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, including voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, parish and town councils, local authorities and housing organisations. Community Interest Companies must be limited by guarantee and have been operating for at least two years.

Funding can be used for a range of activities focused on healthy eating. This includes breakfast and after-school clubs providing fruit and vegetables, holiday clubs offering healthy meals and snacks, growing projects, cooking sessions, youth clubs, sports clubs and initiatives addressing holiday hunger. Support may also be provided for foodbanks assisting families.

There are no deadlines. This is a rolling programme and applications can be made at any time during the year. For more information please visit Fruit and Veg Grants

Funding for Small UK Charities to Improve their Digital Presence

Fat Beehive Foundation is offering grants of up to £2,500 for small UK charities to deliver a wide range of digital projects to help organisations develop a strong, user-friendly digital presence.

Funding can be used to support specific digital projects, such as building a new website, developing online resources, or improving digital accessibility, that help an organisation reach more people, raise more funding, and deliver greater impact.

The trustees are particularly keen to support traditionally hard-to-fund organisations, such as those supporting prisoners, refugees, or disadvantaged youth.

Charities must have an annual income of less than £1 million to apply. Applications are reviewed at trustee meetings twice per year, in April and October.

The next deadline for applications is 30 September 2026. For more information please visit How to apply - The Fat Beehive Foundation - The Fat Beehive Foundation

Grants Available for Recreational Trips for Disadvantaged Children in UK

The Henry Smith Foundation offers grants for recreational trips in the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands for children up to and including 13 years old who face financial hardship, systemic inequity or disability.

Youth groups and UK-based, non-profit groups (with an organisational income below £2 million) and schools in the UK are eligible to apply.

Priority will be given to projects that will benefit disadvantaged and disabled children in the most deprived areas in the UK, based on the National Indices of Deprivation. For groups of children with disabilities, more flexibility will be given regarding the level of deprivation.

Grants between £500 and £3,000 are available for either a day trip or holidays up to seven days in length. This could be to a countryside or city location, but must be outside the children's immediate locality. Day trips should not involve a disproportionate amount of time spent travelling. 

Applications should be received at least six weeks before the date of the trip to allow for administrative processing and decision making.

For excursions taking place up to 30 September 2026, applications will close 19 August 2026. For more information visit Holiday grants - Henry Smith

Northern Ireland Office Opens Community Partnership Fund for Voluntary Sector

The Northern Ireland Office has opened its Community Partnership Fund, offering a single grant of £1 million to support work with local community organisations, with a particular focus on rural areas.

The award will be made to one delivery organisation acting as Head Recipient for a forum of organisations. The Head Recipient will be responsible for financial accountability and must be based in Northern Ireland. Other participating organisations may be based in Great Britain.

The grant is available for activity delivered between 2026 and 2029. Applications are open to the voluntary and community sector, civic society and national representative bodies in Northern Ireland. Applicants must be formally established for public benefit and be not-for-profit organisations.

Proposals must address key areas of support, including identifying and assisting smaller grassroots community groups that are below the radar of traditional support, creating networking opportunities to help organisations form new contacts, supporting groups to develop ambitious ideas and pursue larger-scale projects and helping groups navigate financial support from initial idea development through to project delivery while building resilience for long-term sustainability.

Programme management and direct delivery costs are eligible for funding.

The deadline for applications is 19 June 2026. For more information, please visit £1 million Community Partnership Fund to boost community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland - GOV.UK

Applications Invited for Cash for Kids' Impact Grants Programme

The Cash for Kids Impact Grants scheme supports children and young people up to and including 18 years old living in the UK who are affected by poverty, abuse, neglect or those with additional support needs.

Registered charities with an annual turnover less than £1 million, schools, community organisations and other grassroots groups based across the UK are eligible to apply.

The programme addresses the following themes:

• Poverty.

• Mental health and wellbeing.

• Sport and physical wellbeing.

• Disability or life-limiting illness.

• Education and essential skills.

• Diversity and inclusion.

Grants are usually between £1,000 and £3,000, although more or less can be requested.

For the current call, applications are accepted from all areas in the United Kingdom except for East Yorkshire, Yorkshire Coast and Lincolnshire. Applicants are advised to check the Cash for Kids website for updates as different regions have varying opening and closing dates.

Grants are usually between £1,000 and £3,000. For more information, please visit Grant Application - Cash for Kids

Cash for Kids' Holiday Hunger Grants Programme Open for Applications

The Cash for Kids Holiday Hunger Grants scheme supports children and young people (up to 18 years old) facing food insecurity during the school holidays.

Registered charities with an annual turnover less than £1 million, schools, and community, voluntary, youth group or sports groups with a formal governance document (eg constitution, articles of association, club rules and regulations) can apply.

Projects must focus on outcomes that encourage children to eat more healthily and be more active during the school holidays. 

For the current call, applications are accepted from all areas except for East Yorkshire, Yorkshire Coast and Lincolnshire. Applicants are advised to check the Cash for Kids website for updates as different regions have varying opening and closing dates.

Grants are usually between £1,000 and £3,000. For more information, please visit Grants | Cash for Kids

National Lottery Project Grants Open for Northern Ireland Arts Projects

Arts Council of Northern Ireland has opened its National Lottery Project Funding round for 2026/27 to support organisations delivering arts projects that contribute to community arts activity and engage new and existing audiences.

The support is intended for work that benefits people in Northern Ireland or helps arts organisations meet their aims, while reflecting Northern Ireland's social and cultural diversity. The Arts Council has indicated it wishes to support work involving children and young people, older people or people with disabilities, alongside proposals delivering high quality programming in rural areas. It also encourages work focusing on Minority Ethnic artists, D/deaf, neurodiverse and disabled artists, emerging artists, working-class artists and LGBTQIA artists, as well as innovative and original work across art forms.

Grants of between £10,001 and £75,000 are available. Awards can cover salary costs directly related to the project, including recruitment, employer national insurance contributions, pension and expenses. Applicants may also claim overheads attributable to the supported work and include accessibility costs within the budget.

Applications are invited from legally constituted organisations including registered charities and other non-profit-distributing bodies, partnerships of organisations, public sector agencies operating outside their statutory remit and commercial organisations where the activity is primarily for public benefit. Local authorities can apply but are considered a low priority.

Projects must take place between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027 and can last up to one year.

The deadline for applications is 1 June 2026 (noon). For more information, please visit National Lottery Project Funding 2026-2027 | Arts Council NI

Small Grants to Support People with all Disabilities Play Tennis

The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, a charity, provides small grants for people with disabilities to play tennis, including help with purchasing wheelchairs, tennis equipment and coaching.

Groups, clubs or projects can apply for grants of up to £1,600, while individuals can apply for up to £600.

Eligible applicants include disability groups and programmes, clubs, schools and associations in the UK, as well as individuals. Applications for the same purpose must wait for two years to reapply.

Support for wheelchairs is available through separate routes for organisations and individuals. For group, club or project applications, applicants may request one or more tennis wheelchairs designed for general use at grass roots level. A contribution towards the chair is required, with the Trust offering a grant towards the remaining cost, based on eligible models listed on the Trust's website.

For individuals who play wheelchair tennis, four types of wheelchair are available, with the applicant expected to raise a contribution, which varies by chair type. Where an alternative wheelchair is requested, a grant may be awarded and the applicant is responsible for ordering and paying the supplier directly.

The Trust can also provide a package of equipment, ordered and paid for by the Trust and delivered to a specified address. Packages include rackets, balls, mini nets and coaching aids such as cones and throw down marker lines, with sound balls available for visually impaired groups.

Further support is available for starting or maintaining a disability group, club activity or project, including court hire, coaching fees and equipment. Individuals may apply for items such as rackets, strings, tape and gloves, as well as coaching lessons with an LTA Licensed coach and course fees for official LTA Development or Coaching courses.

There are four applications rounds per year.

The next deadline for applications is 3 August 2026 (for a decision at the end of August). For more information, please visit Welcome - Dan Maskell Tennis Trust

Material Focus’s Electrical Recycling Fund – 31 May Deadline Reminder

Material Focus, an independent not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to stop electricals from being hoarded and thrown away and ensure they are reused and recycled instead, is offering a total of £1 million for this year's funding round.

Established community sector organisations based in the UK such as registered charities and local authorities, can apply for grants of up to £100,000 for pilot projects taking place for one year.

The funding should be used for the expansion or introduction of a new project that could not have happened without the funding, rather than core operational costs.   

The 2026-27 round is for the following proposed pilots:

• Bring banks

• Bring bank refurbishments

• Community drop off points

• Drop off events if part of a bigger, longer term pilot

• Reuse if part of a larger recycling pilot

The funding can be used for the following:

• Buying new bins or collection points 

• Renting vehicles for electricals collections

• Installing bins

• Communication and marketing activity, including printed materials and digital campaigns

• Staffing costs for time spent planning and delivering the pilot. Funding can be used on salaries where the individual is working on the agreed, funded pilot.

• Collection costs, but only to a Designated Collection Facility (DCF) or nominated transfer station. 

Applications will not be accepted from individuals, profiting businesses, small community groups such as Parish councils, community stores, youth clubs nor can it support major capital purchases such as vehicles or property.

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026. For more information, please visit Electricals Recycling Fund - Material Focus

Young Women's Mental Health Programme Invites Applications

The Pilgrim Trust's Young Women in Mind programme focuses on supporting young women's mental health. The 2026-2028 Young Women in Mind fund is delivered in partnership with the Prudence Trust and the Julia Rausing Trust, pooling resources to enable more young women to access support.

Young Women in Mind 2026-2028 supports registered charities delivering high quality services specifically designed to respond to the needs of young women (aged 14 to 25 years) experiencing mental health difficulties. It is anticipated that the support will enable the young woman to thrive and fulfil her potential. Funding is available to:

• Scale or expand an existing, high-quality, targeted mental health service for young women and girls.

• Strengthen or adapt current provision to better meet young women's mental health needs.

Grants of between £200,000 and £500,000, spread over a period of three years, are available.

To be eligible, applicants must be either a mental health charity or a women and girls' charity. The organisation must have been in operation for at least three years.

For the current round, the work must be located in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber, the Midlands, Northern Ireland or Scotland. However, organisations working UK-wide or England-wide are also welcome to apply for work across their remit.

The closing date for Stage One applications is 22 June 2026. For more information, please visit Young women’s mental health grants 2026-2028 - Pilgrim Trust

Rosa’s ‘Stand With Us Fund’ Reopens for UK Applications

Rosa has launched the third round of the Stand With Us Fund which aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Women and girls will be supported by organisations delivering frontline services to end male violence against women and girls, ensuring women and girls can be safe, healthy and equal.

• Women and girls organisations will be empowered and strengthened, meaning that they will be in a stronger position to survive, thrive and grow into the future.

The funding is intended to enable organisations to be in a stronger position to survive, thrive and grow by investing in organisational development work such as developing strategy, strengthening governance and leadership, a stronger voice in the women's movement, creating stronger alliances and partnerships, increasing fundraising, volunteering and activism, demonstrating impact and more effective systems and processes.

Not-for-profit frontline women's and/or girls' organisations with an income of between £100,000 and £500,000 can apply now for a one-year grant of up to £28,000. Grants will be paid in January 2027 and last one year (until December 2027). It is expected at least 18 organisations from across the four UK nations will be funded.

Priority will be given to applications from women's and girls' organisations which are:

• Operating in the top 10% 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 and girls.

• Led by and for LGBTQ+ women and girls.

In addition, organisations that have not received funding from the second round of this fund will be prioritised.

Rosa will be hosting the following 'How to Apply' webinars (registration is required):

• 19 May (10:30 to 11:30)

• 11 June (14:00 to 15:00)

The deadline for applications is 22 June 2026. For more information, please visit Rosa's Stand With Us Fund - Rosa

Radcliffe Trust Accepting Applications for Second 2026 Funding Round

Radcliffe Trust is offering grants for charities, not-for-profit groups, and exempt organisations across the UK to support projects in the areas of music, heritage, and crafts.

For music projects, the Trust will consider projects in the following categories:

• Composition and contemporary music - in the case of commission applications, the lead composer must be named.

• Bursaries for courses and summer schools (limited to UK-based students).

• Music therapy and special needs.

• Academic research.

• Youth orchestras.

• Performance projects.

• Educational projects - excluding applications from individual mainstream primary and secondary schools.

• Miscellaneous.

For heritage and crafts projects, the Trust will support the development of the skills, knowledge, and experience that underpin the UK's traditional cultural heritage and crafts sectors. This includes support for:

• Emerging craftspeople.

• Craft and conservation projects and training.

• Projects demonstrating creative outcomes by designer-makers.

• Projects with potential for capacity building within the sector.

• Special needs projects focusing on the therapeutic benefits of skills development.

Other areas of cultural creativity related to heritage and crafts may also be considered, including theatre, performance, and literature, especially where projects can be shown to promote and develop high-level skills among early career practitioners and disadvantaged groups.

Heritage and Crafts Grants are generally in the region of £2,500 to £7,500. Music Grants are generally in the region of £2,500 to £5,000.

There are typically two rounds per year, with trustee meetings held in June and December. Groups can apply for Music and Heritage & Crafts grants in the same funding round.

The next deadline for applications is 31 July 2026. For more information please visit The Radcliffe Trust

Climate Action Fund - Food Systems

Project location: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales

• Amount: £2,500,000 to £7,000,000

• A decision in: 39 weeks

• Programme status: Open to applications

We want to fund projects that strengthen our food system and reduce food insecurity for people and communities.

We want to support ways of producing enough healthy, affordable food without harming the planet. 

We will do this by supporting work that: 

• works with nature to create resilient, sustainable and equitable food systems (this is called agroecology) 

• addresses the root cause of long-term problems, not just the symptoms (this is called systems change) 

You must meet one or more of our aims 

• Your project must work towards systems change in the way that:  

• community organisations grow and produce food – using agroecological methods 

• food gets distributed – aiming for equitable access to healthy, affordable food for all 

• offers people and communities different food options – especially those experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination  

For more detail, see our funding aims. 

You must meet all of these criteria

You must show us that you’ll: 

• work in a partnership 

• make a lasting impact on climate change, the environment and nature  

• significantly increase access to healthy, affordable food – especially for those experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination  

• have firm plans to measure the impact of your work  

• have firm plans to tell the story of your project to inspire others 

• show how you’ll meaningfully involve communities and organisations representing communities in your project 

For more detail, see criteria your project must meet. 

How much can you apply for

You can apply for a minimum of £2.5 million over 3 years. 

Most projects we fund will: 

• receive between £3 million and £5 million 

• run for between 5 and 7 years 

We expect to fund up to 10 projects in the first year. For more information, please visit Climate Action Fund - Food Systems | The National Lottery Community Fund

Dormant Assets for All

Project location: Northern Ireland

• Amount: £300 to £20,000

• A decision in: 12 weeks

• Programme status: Open to applications

This funding is for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Northern Ireland.

It helps organisations to:

• build skills and capacity

• be more resilient

• prepare for future challenges

Make sure you check that your organisation is based in Northern Ireland. Only organisations with a registered office base in Northern Ireland are eligible for funding. 

We fund projects that strengthen your organisation

This might include improving:

• confidence and skills in digital technology

• how you track and measure your impact

• financial management

• governance and leadership

• volunteer recruitment and management

We’ll only fund work that makes your organisation stronger

We do not fund the delivery of activities in your community. For example, we cannot fund expanding an existing service into new areas.

How much funding you can apply for

You can apply for between £300 and £20,000 to run projects that last up to 2 years.

Where this funding comes from

This funding comes from the Dormant Assets Scheme. It is money from financial accounts that have not been used in over 15 years. It does not come from The National Lottery.

For more information, please visit Dormant Assets for All | The National Lottery Community Fund

Funding for Christian Charities and Organisations Across the UK and Ireland

Benefact Trust is offering grants for Christian organisations across the UK and Ireland to deliver a range of projects and activities that will make a positive and transformative impact in lives and communities.  

Through the Community Impact Grants Programme, funding is available for projects that fall under the following programme areas:

• Growing congregations and Christian communities.

• Addressing social challenges facing communities.

• Enabling wider community use of church buildings. 

• Empowering Christian Education.

Funding can be used to cover direct capital and revenue costs that are directly related to the proposed project. Funding can be used for new projects or to expand preexisting work.

Multi-year grants covering up to three years are available. 

Applications can be submitted at any time. For more information please visit Community Impact Grants | Community Grants & Funding

New Funding for Young People Facing Homelessness in the UK

The Young Futures Fund is offering grant support to organisations assisting young people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The funding is intended to improve access to safe, secure and affordable housing, alongside providing support to help sustain tenancies and enable progression towards independent living.

One-year grants ranging from £5,000 to £40,000 are available. The funding can be used for projects that support individuals aged 16 to 25, including those that provide accommodation, skills development and employment opportunities.

Applications are open to UK-based charities and not-for-profit organisations working directly with young people in this age group. The fund prioritises organisations delivering frontline services, particularly those with strong local links and an established understanding of the needs and experiences of young people within their communities.

Projects supported through this funding may include those that increase housing provision, develop life skills or improve access to employment. The focus is on practical interventions that help young people secure stable living arrangements and build pathways towards independence.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) can be submitted between 27 April 2026 and 22 May 2026. For more information, please visit LandAid Young Futures Fund - LandAid

NI's Community Relations and Cultural Diversity Funding Programme Accepting Applications

Northern Ireland's Community Relations/Cultural Diversity Grant Scheme is inviting applications from locally based voluntary and community organisations to develop their capacity to engage in community relations work and to enhance the community relations potential of projects they undertake.

The scheme is aimed at community development groups, cultural organisations, women's and men's groups, faith-based groups, tenants' associations, youth groups and rural groups involved in community relations, reconciliation projects and cultural engagement for projects primarily involving adults.

The funding is for projects which address at least one of the Community Relations Council's objectives:

• Develop opportunities for groups to explore their own cultures, beliefs and traditions increasing their capacities to develop relations with those from other cultures.

• Develop opportunities for groups to extend their knowledge and understanding of others' cultures, beliefs and traditions.

• To enable groups to challenge stereotypes of their own and other communities to acknowledge and address differences.

• To increase the ability and confidence of groups and organisations to identify issues which divide them.

• To develop networks of communication, trust and cooperation between divided communities.

• To promote models of good practice for community relations work in Northern Ireland.

Groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000, but most grants awarded will be between £2,000 and £5,000.

The deadline for applications is 15 January 2027. For more information, please visit Community Relations / Cultural Diversity | Community Relations Council