Community Foundation for NI & Community Foundation for Ireland: All-Island Fund

Archived Active citizenship Communities Community and neighbourhood development Community development COVID-19/Coronavirus Cross community environment good relations Multiculturalism organisational development Peace and reconciliation Rural development social enterprise Strategic and project planning Sustainable development Trading Urban development Voluntary and community infrastructure Antrim & Newtownabbey Ards & North Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Belfast City Causeway Coast and Glens Derry City and Strabane Fermanagh and Omagh Lisburn and Castlereagh Mid and East Antrim Mid Ulster Newry, Mourne and Down Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Micro (up to £1,000) Small (up to £10,000)

Track grant Notes

Overview

The implications of Brexit and the associated loss of EU membership for people and communities continue to unfold. Early difficulties have arisen in the movement of people and trade. At the same time, the Covid 19 crisis has highlighted the connectivity and interdependence of people on the island and the need to collaborate around social factors including health and community infrastructure. The nature of the conversation about future all-island relationships is changing dramatically.

In this context there is a need for increased dialogue and collaboration among civil society organisations. The context presents both risks and opportunities, which will be influenced further by the way in which Brexit unfolds. All island, civil society, dialogue will play an increasingly important role in building a more stable future for everyone.

Who can apply:

The Community Foundations are particularly interested in hearing from groups who already enjoy a cross-border partnership through existing work but also welcome proposals from groups who are working with other vulnerable communities of interest and would like to explore the possibility of new dialogues and partnerships.

Applicant organisations must:

Be registered charities or community and voluntary groups that are constituted and possess charitable aims
Engage their chosen partners prior to submission to agree terms of reference for the collaborative proposal
Agree to receive the funding on behalf of all partners listed in the proposal and to share the funding between partners as set out in the proposed budget.

What can be achieved:

Successful grant-making that will support and facilitate the following:

Future leaders nurtured and given opportunity to develop skills
Identify policy positions and support collaboration in specific projects in thematic areas, such as gender, race, immigration and children
Raise awareness and create better understanding of the post-Brexit context for civil society in Ireland, on key issues (in media, with statutory bodies and in non-profit sector)
Ensure space is created for healthy, respectful, and productive dialogue on challenges and opportunities created by the ongoing debate about future constitutional arrangements on the island of Ireland
Build on the best practice from each jurisdiction to further influence policy and legislative development
Build partnerships between civil society, philanthropy and Government.

Funding Outcomes

This initial pilot funding is to support and foster all-Island partnerships that will look to achieve some or all of the following:

A. Create opportunities for those working on similar issues within the community and voluntary sectors to work together

B. Build capacity by working together and sharing resources

C. Convene stakeholders around a common problem or issue

D. Share ideas and insights on the type of society they want to create irrespective of constitutional arrangements.

E. Create better understanding of the different cultural identities represented on the island

F. Avail of needed training and technical assistance

G. Undertake research and needs assessments to identify gaps in services; and collaboratively create new responses

H. Initiatives that support leadership opportunities

I. Forge partnerships that leverage additional public or private resources

J. Develop shared policy positions

K. Speak out together and use the media to raise visibility and action on issues.

Funding Strands

Lead organisations can apply to one of the Strands below:

Strand 1: Grants of up to €5,000 will be made available to organisations who have identified a need to work with a relevant eligible partner on a shared issue. This funding should be used to support the establishment of this new partnership and proposals should make reference to activities A to D listed above.

Strand 2: Grants of up to €10,000 will be made available to organisations who have an existing partnership with a relevant organisation on the other side of the border. The funding should be used to amplify that relationship and to increase the level of dialogue and collaboration between partners. Proposals should make reference to activities A to G listed above.

Strand 3: Grants of up to €20,000 will be made available to organisations who meet the criteria of Strand 2 but who wish to elevate their partnership to include activities H to K listed above.

If you have any queries in relation to this Fund or the application process, please contact the Grants and Donor Care Team at The Community Foundation for Ireland at info@foundation.ie