NIO Unveils Fund to Boost Community, Voluntary Sector

The Northern Ireland Office has today, Friday 24 April, launched the Engagement for Change Fund. This is a three-year, £100,000 initiative designed to significantly bolster the capacity of the community and voluntary sector across Northern Ireland.

The Fund directly supports the sector's vital role by providing targeted leadership and advocacy development, enabling organisations to more effectively champion their crucial work and the communities they serve.

It acknowledges the profound and diverse expertise the voluntary sector has cultivated through decades of on-the-ground experience and successful intervention delivery.

Driving Policy Influence and Inclusive Democracy

The primary objective of the Engagement for Change Fund is to foster a more resilient and inclusive democracy. By enhancing the sector's ability to influence and inform policy-makers, the Fund will secure a stronger voice for civil society at the strategic Governmental level.

A key pillar of this initiative is dedicated to increasing the representation of women in the public forum. The programme will focus on upskilling and empowering women to confidently and effectively engage with strategic Government policy-making processes, with a clear mandate to achieve a demonstrable, measurable increase in their visibility and participation in public debate.

Delivery and Application Details

The total £100,000 funding will be allocated to a single delivery organisation over the three-year period. The successful organisation will be required to execute a comprehensive development programme structured around six core areas of support, including strategic communication and advocacy training, navigating the complex policy landscape, and advanced media and digital engagement skills.

Application guidance, forms, and budget/delivery templates are available below.

To apply, you must submit an application form, budget/delivery plan template (as provided below) and organisation accounts to