Belfast City Council Community Support Plan (CSP) Large Grant 2026-29

Overview

The Council’s Community Support Plan (CSP) outlines how they seek to support a better engaged and more resourceful community. They do this through their resources and community facilities and the support they provide to community and voluntary organisations that provide relevant services. 

One of the funding programmes within the CSP is the Community Support Plan Large Grant which aims to support the community sector to help create vibrant, inclusive communities where everyone has opportunities for involvement and development. 

It is important to note that this is a new approach that differs significantly from previous large grants and that there is an entirely new application form. 

Please note - Funding will last for three years; applications for Community Support Large Grants will not open again until summer 2028 for activity that will be delivered from 01 April 2029.

Funding Priorities

The overriding aim of the plan and funding programmes within the plan is to meet the following priority outcomes.

1. Creating active, engaged and resilient communities
2. Ensuring access to quality community facilities
3. Joining up community support through partnership development and collaboration

Funded activity must occur between: 

• 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027 Year 1
• 1 April 2027 and 31 March 2028 Year 2
• 1 April 2028 and 31 March 2029 Year 3

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this funding you must be a community or voluntary organisation which provides services for the benefit of people living in the Belfast City Council area. This means that your organisation must meet the following requirements: 

• Formally constituted – have a formal governing document such as a constitution or memorandum and articles of association.
• Non-Governmental – is not part of government or under a substantial degree of executive control by government.
• Self-governing – has its own decision-making system and usually a formal constitution with procedures for accountability to independent trustees or its own members or constituents.
• Non-profit-making – cannot distribute any surplus money to owners or members but spend them on serving your basic purpose and this is included in the governing document.
• Voluntary – has an element of involvement of volunteers. This can include board member roles.
• Have community development as a primary objective for example
  • Providing community services and supports which aim to improve quality of life and wellbeing.
  • Enabling people to work together to create social change and build more resilient, sustainable and empowered communities. 

The premises from where the programme is delivered must be within the Belfast City Council area. 

Funding Level & Notes

The Community Support Plan Large Grant can provide funding up to a maximum grant of £60,000, please note they will accept applications that are less than this amount, it is advisable that you only apply for an amount that you need and can manage effectively. 

This grant should be used to provide funding for costs to deliver the activity outlined in your application. 

These costs can include: 

• Core running costs of community operated facilities that meet CSP outcomes
• Programming costs that address needs/issues in specific communities.
• Staff Costs which are directly relevant to the programme

Please note the following restricted costs and seek further information from Guidance notes:

• Overheads
• Staff time
• Facilitators, mediators, consultants or programme evaluators
• mileage claims
• cash payments