RDC/IFI Integrating Communities Scheme

Overview

As well as training, support and mentoring, funding may be available to undertake joint projects.

This programme is open to urban and rural groups operating both within Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland.

Priority will be given to those groups that have not previously engaged with the Fund, however previous recipients of International Fund for Ireland funding will not be excluded.

The Integrating Communities programme can be accessed in two ways:

1. Support Phase - involves a focused programme of support targeting up to 30 community organisations from across Northern Ireland and the border counties. Organisations will be matched on a cross community and/or cross border basis, or existing partnerships can be considered. Successful applicants will be provided with training, mentoring and support to help them develop their partnership and subsequently deliver a small joint project.
2. Project Phase - provides project grant and implementation support for partnerships that either complete the Support Phase or are already at a stage where a full project application can be made.

The 'Integrating Communities' programme aims to: -

• Increase the capacity and confidence of unionist and nationalist communities to work together.
• Foster and develop relationships within and between communities.
• Encourage sustainable partnership working and promote continued reconciliation and peace building activities.
• Be a catalyst for groups to engage in partnerships and take decisive action toward new and innovative programmes/ projects, which will benefit their communities.

Small grants of up to a maximum of £10,000 will be available to joint partnered organisations to implement a small project which will benefit both their communities.

Project phase is the part of the programme aimed at those community / voluntary organisations which already work on a cross community and/or cross border basis and have a joint project idea for which funding is required.

How to Apply

Application forms are available in hardcopy or available for downloading from the website.

Once your application is received by the RDC it will be acknowledged within 5 working days. RDC operates an open and competitive application process where projects and their sponsor organisations will assessed and scored against a number of predetermined criteria. All applications will be formally notified of the outcome of the assessment.