Derry City & Strabane District Council: Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund

Overview

Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund 2025-26 Application Form is used to apply for financial support from Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC). Each year the theme for the strategic priority fund is decided by Elected Members based on current issues. In 2023-24 the theme was 'Children and Young People' in 2024-25 the theme was 'Black and Minority Ethnic Communities' and for 2025-26 the theme is 'Safer Communities'.

A safe community can be defined as 'one where residents feel secure and protected from harm, crime, and disorder, fostering a sense of well-being and allowing individuals to live their lives without fear.'

The primary purpose of the fund is to support large scale strategic projects that can make a measurable contribution to making communities safer. Applicants will need to demonstrate how their project meets this objective and also how they meet at least two of the outcomes from the Together Building a United Community (TBUC) Strategy. In order to ensure strategic alignment with other strategies relevant to the themes of Good Relations and Safe Communities, applicants will need to outline how their project will impact on the objectives of the following strategies: DCSDC Good Relations Strategy, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and DCSDC Strategy Growth Plan.

This fund is not intended to bolster PCSP funding, this is standalone funding for projects which help to improve community safety. The PCSP currently have a separate funding programme open with specific community safety aims. Funding for bonfires will not be considered under this fund.

Applications are for projects up to £15,000. This is a competitive fund with limited funding.

How Does the Fund Work?

• There is one round of funding this financial year 2025/26. Any monies spent prior to 1st April 2025 are ineligible.
• You can apply for project costs up to a maximum of £15,000.

Whatever you decide to do, please remember:

• The project/service should make a real difference to people who live in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.
• You must be able to show that there is a need for the project/service as you will be asked to demonstrate this.
• Verifications will be carried out on your project as it progresses. You must provide the required information to the council officer during verifications.
• You must demonstrate how your project contributes to a safer community

Strategic Priority Fund Criteria:

• Funding is intended for large scale strategic projects that can make a measurable contribution to making communities safer
• Projects must demonstrate how they improve community safety and feelings of safety, support the creation of safe and resilient communities and divert individuals and groups away from engagement in negative behaviour
• Applicants must demonstrate how their project links with and impacts on outcomes within the following strategies:
• Applicants will be asked to demonstrate what other funding has been secured for their project, how much and duration of funding. Applicants will have to provide evidence of funding awards.
• Projects must be additional to the usual business of the applicant
• Applications for Community Safety Warden Schemes will not be considered in this fund
• Activities or programmes which are the responsibility of another statutory agency will not be considered under this fund.

The following are eligible for funding:
 

Constituted Community and Voluntary Sector organisations with a base in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area and which can deliver a project to promote "Safe Communities" You will have to confirm you have good governance in place - including insurance, financial accounts and relevant documentation. Groups that already hold funding or who have applied for funding from Council (e.g. Community Support Grant for a separate project) or who currently hold a 2025/26 Good Relations grant (for a separate project) from Derry City and Strabane District Council area are eligible to apply to this fund. No other council funding should be used to fund this project.