The Executive Office: Central Good Relations Fund Small Grants

Overview

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 and Small Grants details below).

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.

Aims of the Small Grants Fund

The aim of the Programme is to support the achievement of the Executive’s strategic objectives relating to good relations.

Small Grants funding should be used for the delivery of projects which  aim to address any of the following: 

• where there is an identified good relations need and the aim is to work with those most in need of a good relations intervention within specific areas of impact;
• where there is, or potential for, heightened social unrest;
• where there has been a significant change in local demographics;
• where there has been an increase in racist/sectarian hate incidents; and
• where emerging issues within communities warrant a Good Relations intervention.

It should be noted that to be fundable under CGRF, projects need to demonstrate concrete Good Relations work at the heart of all activities, and this work needs to be more active in engendering Good Relations rather than passively bringing people from different communities/backgrounds together.

Funding Criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria: 

1. Demonstrates clear evidence of good relations need 
2. Demonstrates how project will address good relations need identified 
3. Demonstrates sound model, methodology and programme design 
4. Demonstrates delivery against ONE key T:BUC priority and associated outcome(s) 
5. Demonstrates value for money

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’ (the outcomes are: to reduce the prevalence of hate crime and intimidation and/or to have a community where places and spaces are safe for all); and 
• Social Action activities.

Eligibility

The fund is open to properly constituted community groups and voluntary organisations. 

Examples of which include Associations, Trusts, Companies limited by Guarantee, Community Interest Companies, Charitable Incorporated Organisations or Industrial and Provident Societies. 

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; and 
• Comply with relevant legislative requirements in respect of employment, health and safety, discrimination and equality of opportunity. 

Organisations MUST have: A copy of the governing document of the organisation (constitution, rules or articles of association). 

• Projects with faith-based/religious outcomes will not be supported. However, faith-based/religious organisations may apply for support for projects that meet the objectives of the funding scheme. 
• Applications from individuals, statutory bodies, commercial organisations, academic institutions (schools), trade unions and political parties will not be considered.
• Joint applications from organisations for shared staff will be welcomed. Joint applications from organisations proposing to work together will also be considered. A lead partner, however, must be identified on the application and, should the application be successful, the Letter of Offer will be made to this lead partner.

Funding Level & Notes

The Small Grants fund supports productive, time-bound projects which contribute to the promotion of good relations up to a value of £2,000.

• 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.