Executive Office: Central Good Relations Fund Project Grants

Overview

About the programme

Since 2016, over £25 million has been awarded to support more than 780 projects across Northern Ireland which has impacted on over 260,000 people. These CGRF projects with a good relations focus also include a wide range of activities such as sport, music, drama, arts and crafts, to engage with and make a difference in local communities whilst contributing to peace building and reconciliation. In addition, these projects provide important opportunities to develop new skills, gain qualifications, build self-confidence, develop new friendships, and to celebrate and embrace cultural diversity.

There are two streams of funding available; Project Funding (details below) and Small Grants.

For both streams, projects can claim salaries and programme costs, but these costs must be proportional to the good relations project being delivered. CGRF does not, and will not, replace mainstream core or project funding for groups.

Project Funding opens once a year for applications. Small Grants are open for applications throughout the funding year and are available for projects up to £2000, subject to available budget.

2025/26 Central Good Relations Fund – Project Funding (over £1,500)

Successful projects must deliver within the funding year and contribute towards the delivery of one of the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) Strategy key priorities. 

Funding Criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Clear evidence of good relations need, and how the project will address this need.
• How the project will deliver against ONE of the Key T:BUC priorities and associated outcomes linked to the Together: Building a United Community Strategy. They recognise your project may contribute towards more than one Key Priority, however, they ask that in your application you only identify ONE (the main) Key Priority;
• Evidence of the ability to access and attract participants/ beneficiaries and retain them.
• That the project is capable of successful implementation, its aims are realistic and achievable, and that a methodology is in place to demonstrate proposed outcome(s) that will be measured; and
• That the cost of the project represents value for money, taking into account the anticipated impact.
• Where funding requested from this programme is part of a funding cocktail, applications should demonstrate how it will complement and not duplicate other funding streams.

Applications are welcomed, in particular, for good relations projects that include a focus on:

• Developing the capacity within and across communities to build good relations;
• Involving the hardest to reach participants i.e. those that have not been engaged or had limited engagement in Good Relations projects;
• Single identity projects where there is a Good Relations need to develop an understanding of one’s own culture and traditions as well as the cultures and traditions of others;
• Delivering against the T:BUC Key Priority – ‘Our Safe Community’ (with the outcomes being: to reduce the prevalence of hate crime and intimidation and/or to have a community where places and spaces are safe for all);
• Environmental activities and benefits;
• Social action activities;
• Delivery of projects within geographical areas where there has been a change in demographics, an increase in racist and/or sectarian hate incidents, and where there is an evidenced GR need; and
• Delivery of projects within the Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon, Antrim and Newtownabbey and Lisburn and Castlereagh council areas which have seen a statistical increase in sectarian and/or racist incidents, and where there is an evidenced GR need, and a previously low number of applications submitted to the Fund.

You are encouraged to consider social value in any procurements undertaken as a direct result of this funding. By considering social value you can extend the benefits of your project delivery, create benefits for your local community and have a positive impact on the environment. More information on social value is available at www.socialvalueni.org 

• Together: Building a United Community - Priorities and Outcomes
  Key Priority 1: Our Children and Young People
  Outcome 1.1	Positive attitudinal change towards people from different backgrounds.
  Outcome 1.2	Bringing communities together
  Key Priority 2: Our Shared Community
  Outcome 2.1	Increased use of shared space.
  Outcome 2.2	Shared space is accessible to all.
  Key Priority 3: Our Safe Community
  Outcome 3.1	Reduce the prevalence of hate crime and intimidation.
  Outcome 3.2	A community where places and spaces are safe for all.
  Key Priority 4: Our Cultural Expression
  Outcome 4.1	Increased sense of community belonging (widens contribution beyond community background).
  Outcome 4.2	Cultural diversity is celebrated.

Eligibility

The programme is open to properly constituted community groups and voluntary organisations. Examples include Association, Trust, Company limited by Guarantee, Community Interest Company, Charitable Incorporated Organisation or Industrial and Provident Society.

To be eligible for funding, your organisation must:

• be legally able to operate in Northern Ireland.
• be independent, not for profit, and have a constitution or set of rules defining your aims, objectives and operational procedures.
• have a suitable management structure and appropriate financial controls.
• comply with relevant legislative requirements in respect of employment, health and safety, discrimination and equality of opportunity.

Funding Level & Notes

Project funding is for grants over £1,500.

Please note that the majority of grants awarded will not exceed £50,000.

Funding will be time limited and will be provided for 2025/26 only. All funding must be incurred and the projects fully delivered by 31 March 2026. Projects must deliver within the 12-month period and no funding will be available for delivery beyond 31 March 2026.

• Salary costs: 
  • Funding provided under the heading of staffing and salaries can be used to pay staff to deliver the agreed T:BUC Central Good Relations Fund project. It should be noted that CGRF does not CORE fund and any salary claimed must be proportionate to the actual delivery of your project
• Programme/Project Costs:
  •  Funding provided under programme costs can only be used to deliver the agreed programme plan. This is to cover costs such as: 
    • Fees for facilitators/speakers 
    • Workshops with a focus on Good Relations 
    • Food and Refreshments for the programme or event 
    • Hire of Premises for events or programmes 
    • Transport/travel Costs 
    • Accreditation Costs 
    • Programme materials linked to the agreed activities. 
    • Entrance Fees/Activity Costs Associated with the project. 
    • Residential Costs 
    • Printing Costs for Materials Associated with the project. 
    • Promotional costs (relevant logos must be included on any promotional items) 
    • Proportional Rent/overheads 
    • Resource materials

All costs provided should be directly associated with delivery as only costs proportional to your project will be considered. This should be evidenced within your application form.