Minister Hargey Announces Release of £7.5Million to Support Charities

31st March 2021 E-Zine Welcome to Supporting Communities 163rd Edition of E-Zine, bringing you Best Practice from the Community Sector; Funding and Training Updates and Policy Developments in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Republic of Ireland

Minister Hargey announces release of £7.5million to support charities

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced the release of over £7.5million of awards to support charities facing financial difficulty as a result of the pandemic. Over 300 charities are being offered the funding after successfully applying to Phase 2 of the Covid-19 Charities Fund.

The money is awarded to support unavoidable Phase 2 of the Fund is being delivered by costs and eliminate deficits accumulated by Community Finance Ireland, following successful charities from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021, delivery of Phase 1 by The National Lottery with individually tailored awards of up to a Community Fund who disbursed £8.8million to over maximum of £75,000 per charity. 500 charities to support them in the period up to 30 September 2020. Minister Hargey said: “This funding is vital for charities who have lost Donal Traynor, Group Chief Executive of income from fundraising and trading activity as Community Finance Ireland said: many are still facing unavoidable costs, even if they “We are delighted to help deliver Phase 2 of the are not currently operating or have reduced Covid-19 Charities Fund on behalf of the services. Department for Communities.

“Along with £8.8million awarded in Phase 1 of the We delivered £9.25million on behalf of the Covid-19 Charities Fund, this will bring the total Department through the Covid Social Enterprise disbursed by my Department to support charities Fund last autumn and are well aware of the during 2020/2021 to £16.3million. importance of this type of support to the sector.

The Executive allocated my Department with “Our approach to the Fund has been to bring our £15.5million in May 2020 and I secured additional team’s skills and sectoral knowledge to aid a fair funding to ensure that all local charities’ needs and swift assessment of a charity’s specific needs could be met in full. and make an award which meets those needs in full. “I want to thank Community Finance Ireland for helping my Department deliver the much needed “We encourage all applicants, who receive a letter Covid-19 Charities Fund. I also want to thank of offer over the coming weeks, to return their NICVA for promoting the Fund and the support they acceptance note as soon as possible so that our provided to applicants to ensure local charities had team can move to payment stage.” help to apply.”

NI ASSEMBLY UPDATE Assembly Business The most recent plenary sessions of the Assembly considered a range of matters including Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill: Royal Assent, National Day of Reflection, Civil Justice Modernisation, Climate Change Bill: First Stage and Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition. The report of the plenary sessions of the Assembly are available at; http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/officialreport/officialreport.aspx Committee for Communities The minutes of meetings of the Communities Committee are available at; Session 2020 - 2021 (niassembly.gov.uk) Consultations

Modern slavery transparency in supply chains Department of Justice Modern slavery transparency in supply chains | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk) Closing date; 12th May 2021

Draft Flood Risk Management Plan 2021-2027 second cycle Department for Infrastructure Consultation on draft Flood Risk Management Plan 2021-2027 second cycle | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk) Closing date; 25th June 2021

Local Government Boundaries Review in NI Local Government Boundaries Commissioner The Review | Local Government Boundaries Commissioner for Northern Ireland (lgbc-ni.org.uk) Closing date; none stated

PEACE PLUS Programme Public Consultation

The SEUPB has launched a public consultation for the For full information on the programme (including the new PEACE PLUS Programme (2021-2027). consultation information document and a link to the survey) click HERE What is the PEACE PLUS Programme? The PEACE PLUS Programme was developed through The consultation starts on Wednesday 10 March 2021 a stakeholder engagement process, which took place and will close at 5pm on Wednesday 12 May 2021. between December 2019 and February 2020. A total of You can find a copy of the PEACE PLUS Privacy Notice 16 public events were held across the programme area, for this survey HERE with over 1,000 people in attendance. Over 300 survey responses were submitted. A full report of the survey’s Please do not hesitate to contact us on 028 9026 6660 findings can be found HERE An infographic (office reception number) or email summarising the PEACE PLUS consultation process [email protected] if you require any support can be found HERE during the consultation process.

Have Your Say on the New Sport and Physical Activity Strategy

The Department for Communities is consulting on a a final opportunity for interested stakeholders to new sport and physical activity strategy for Northern contribute to shaping the strategic direction of sport and Ireland. Read here how you can input your views. physical activity over the next decade and beyond. A The new Sport and Physical Activity Strategy[1] will number of webinar sessions (see below for details) are be cross-Departmental and focus on linkages and being held to provide an overview of the consultation shared outcomes between sport and physical activity document, the co-design process, the key themes and and other cross cutting policies, including mental health goals. and well-being, obesity, education, social inclusion and equality. The consultation document on the strategy has The survey is available at Consultation on a a new been developed with input from a wide range of Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity | Department for stakeholders whose views were collected through an e- Communities (communities-ni.gov.uk) and the deadline survey and 70 focus groups. The document is now for completion is 23 April 2021. An easy read version is available for consideration and comments, providing also available at the same link.

Member’s Stories Share Your Success Stories You asked, and we heard you! Our members want to see more good news stories from community groups showcasing their work, best practices, and achievements all over Northern Ireland. We have created a new section of our website dedicated to our Member’s Stories. Here you can submit your own story for publication and read the news that community groups have shared.

We will help you craft your story and feature it in our Ezine to get the word out! You will also get a link to your group’s story so you can share it with your followers on your social media channels.

Member’s Story: The Carson Project Celebrates International Women’s Day with an Online Event — Supporting Communities

The Carson Project Celebrates International Women’s Day with an Online Event

"A Strong Woman Stands Up for Herself. A Stronger Woman Stands Up for Everybody Else"

COVID-19 has put a stop to many things this year. One Bebhinn reflected on how thing still very much on the calendar, however, is each of these women has International Women's Day. This worldwide event influenced their celebrates women's achievements and calls for gender community's development equality. and peacebuilding involvement through their stories, strength, and courage. She noted the fact that we have The Carson Project, based in the Harryville area of many local examples of phenomenal women active in Ballymena, held their annual event online this year. supporting and enabling peace in Northern Ireland, but Ronda Rainey, the project worker, said, “This is our they have largely remained invisible. She concluded by fourth year hosting the International Woman’s day event, highlighting the need for women's contributions to be and over the last two years, we have had the event more widely recognised and a need for more informal funded through St Stephen’s Green Trust Fund. I would spaces where women can come together to support like to take this chance to thank everyone involved in each other, learn from each other, and create making the event such a success, particularly Bebhinn opportunities for mentoring younger women. McKinley, who kindly delivered this year’s inspirational presentation. We have been delighted to be able to Reflecting on the occasion, Bebhinn told us, “This event deliver another successful event this year, albeit virtually had a really positive outcome with those in attendance through Zoom, and we look forward to hosting another encouraged to further the discussion within their wider next year, hopefully in person.” communities and to look at ways to engage others and encourage succession planning.” The event attracted a good turnout, with women attending from across Mid and East Antrim and the wider Gillian Forrest from Supporting Communities Northern area. congratulated Ronda and the Carson Project for facilitating such an inspiring event. The keynote speaker, Bebhinn McKinley, gave a talk that looked at the contribution women have made locally “For me and my colleagues working across Northern and globally to their community. Ireland, it has been heartening to see so many women actively engaging in their communities, providing support She shared her insights into women's roles in and leadership,” she said. “This has been particularly peacebuilding, from the founding of Women Together evident during this pandemic. International Women’s and the Peace Women to the contributions of Sadie Day provides a place for women to discuss and Patterson, Avila Killmurray, May Blood, and Baroness showcase the contributions made by so many of us!” O'Loan. She also touched on the role of Betty Bigombe, a Ugandan mediator who played a key role in conflict Gillian also thanked Bebhinn for her inspirational resolution and humanitarian efforts in northern Uganda, presentation saying, "I hope everyone who came will be who she recently met through her role as a member inspired to get involved in community life - there are so of Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth. many opportunities just waiting for you."

Special Focus

Northern Ireland has highest levels of trust in charities, across the UK and Ireland by Shauna O'Neill, NICVA Information Officer

Public trust and confidence in charities is higher in “Annual reporting to the Commission, with accounts Northern Ireland than in Great Britain and the and reports then published on the register of charities, Republic of Ireland, research released by the Charity provides charities with an important opportunity to Commission for Northern Ireland has revealed. highlight their impact and operations,” said Mrs Lappin. According to an independent survey carried out by nfpSynergy, 71 per cent of Northern Ireland “Even where there is not currently a legal requirement respondents reported trusting charities – 12 per cent for your charity to report to the Commission, we would higher than reported levels of trust in Great Britain, strongly encourage you to continue to do so. and 14 per cent higher than the Republic of Ireland. The register of charities is an open, easily accessible website where your supporters, funders and the public Nicole Lappin, Northern Ireland’s Chief Charity will be able to access a growing library of your Commissioner, welcomed the findings, which she said charity’s accounts and reports,” Mrs Lappin continued. confirm the important place charities have in the “Annual reporting is a perfect opportunity to let the hearts of the Northern Ireland public. world know all the activities, successes and milestones your charity has achieved – and for you, “The past year has been an extremely difficult one for your staff, volunteers and beneficiaries to feel everyone, including the thousands of charities in justifiably proud.” Northern Ireland who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in so many ways,” said Mrs Donating to charities during COVID-19 Lappin. Another interesting finding from the survey was how more traditional methods of donating to a charity, “While I know many charities are struggling simply to including via a collection tin or a charity shop, had survive in the unexpected world we’re currently living been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. in, it’s important to remember just how vital the public According to the survey, respondents donating via are to charities – and the role that trust and collection tin was down to 29% of the public compared confidence plays in running a successful charity, even to 55% a year previously. Similarly, numbers of people during a pandemic. donating via a charity shop had decreased to 28% compared to 43% in 2019. Meanwhile, only 12% of “A charity that does not have the public’s trust and people had donated via buying a raffle ticket confidence may find it struggles to raise funds, attract compared to 28% of the public in 2019. volunteers, staff and even beneficiaries, or simply cannot fulfil its charitable objectives. However, while the pandemic restrictions may have hit face-to-face donating opportunities, giving online or “That’s why I am so pleased to see that not only do we via direct debit had increased to 25% and 28% have such high levels of trust and confidence in respectively. charities in Northern Ireland, but the figures are rising – in fact there has been a 13 per cent increase in trust “It is interesting to see that while more traditional ways and confidence levels since 2018.” of donating have not been possible due to the restrictions in place, the people of Northern Ireland What can increase public trust and confidence? remain generous, which shows just how important Mrs Lappin also highlighted the qualities which the charities and their work are to the public," added Mrs respondents identified as most likely to increase their Lappin. trust and confidence in a charity, with making a positive impact on the lives of beneficiaries rating “Local people obviously have a lot of respect for highest with 59% citing this as important or most Northern Ireland’s charities and I hope the work of the important. Commission will help to reaffirm that public confidence and trust in charities.” Other issues identified as important were that the charity operates ethically and honestly, in keeping with The research was undertaken between July and its values, and is transparent and accountable in its September 2020 and was conducted with a reporting. representative sample of 800 adults in Northern Ireland. This was part of the UK-wide Celtic Charity Awareness Monitor survey.

4 Special Focus cont’d

'View from the Chair' - Employing people with disabilities

View from the Chair article published in The News Letter, 16 March 2021 by Geraldine McGahey, Chief Commissioner, Equality Commission

Making it Work, a new publication from the Equality You must also consider the reasonable adjustment Commission, is a shot in the arm of positivity just at a duty and our Advice and Compliance team can advise time when we need it. It tells the stories of six people on how to lawfully apply these positive action with different disabilities who have used employment measures. support services to get back into work – and not just any work at any time, but key workers who have If you employ disabled workers, you are not just worked or trained during the pandemic. getting an employee with the skills and abilities to do the job but you are increasing diversity and reflecting We produced this in conjunction with NIUSE, the your local community in the workplace. Northern Ireland Union for Supported Employment, as part of our work towards more and better jobs for Research shows that hiring people with disabilities disabled people, a key priority for the Commission. can bring improvements in profitability, such as profits and cost-effectiveness, turnover and retention, At present only 37.3% of disabled people in Northern reliability and punctuality, employee loyalty and Ireland have jobs - the lowest figure across all of the company image; competitive advantage such as UK regions. We also know from Scope research that diverse customers, customer loyalty and satisfaction, disabled people make 60% more applications than innovation, productivity, work ethic and safety and an those without a disability before finding a job. One of inclusive work culture. the main barriers to employment is preconceived ideas of what disabled workers can’t do. As an Benefits for people with disabilities include improved employer, you’re in a position to help change that! quality of life and income, enhanced self-confidence, expanded social network, and a sense of community. The pool of disabled people seeking work is large and diverse and we know from the employment support Have a look at Making it Work. You’ll see employers organisations that the range of skills and aptitudes is with an open attitude to employing disabled workers wide. With Making it Work we’re aiming to showcase whose real life examples highlight some of the peer achievement and encourage other people with positive action, support and reasonable adjustments disabilities to see what the work or training that have been put in place. opportunities might be for them. We have plenty of free and confidential advice and The other side of this equation, though, is you. An guidance available to help employers, just phone us employer can provide opportunities for work by using 028 90 500 600 or email [email protected] the provisions within the Disability Discrimination Act. You can use positive action measures to help • Download the pdf publication; Making disabled jobseekers into your workplace, for example it Work (3.3mb by using initiatives such as vocational training or • See our guidance on recruiting people with reserving a number of jobs only for disabled people. disabilities: www.equalityni.org/ RecruitingDisabledPeople

Publications Minister Publishes Expert Advisory Panel Reports on Social Inclusion Strategies Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has published the Concluding the Minister said: “It is my ambition that reports of four Expert Advisory Panels to help inform the these Strategies will be drafted with meaningful input development of the new social inclusion strategies. from the people they affect most. As work on the Strategies progresses, we will continue to ensure that Announcing publication of the reports, Minister Hargey the people most affected have the opportunity to make a said: “The reports set out an ambitious vision for an meaningful contribution to their development and inclusive and fair society. Their publication will help delivery.” inform the development of the Executive’s strategies on Anti-Poverty; Disability; Gender Equality; and Sexual It is anticipated that the strategies will be published by Orientation. I wish to thank the Expert Panels for their the end of 2021, subject to Executive agreement. work in providing an independent assessment of the The Expert Panel reports can be found on the issues that the Strategies should seek to address. The Department’s website: next step will be to consider how we can deliver Anti-Poverty meaningful change in tackling the inequalities and Disability obstacles that directly affect the everyday lives of many Gender people in our community. Sexual Orientation Full details of the timetable for the development of the Social Inclusion Strategies

NI Environment Link The Environment News, Research and Analysis newsletter is available at ENRA-February-2021.pdf (nienvironmentlink.org) and the Assembly News round-up Assembly-News-February-2021.pdf (nienvironmentlink.org) For other NIEL publications and events, go to; www.nienvironmentlink.org

Available online, includes a series of important articles Please click the link below to access the February/ on a range of matters including Lost lives: grief in a March 2021 edition of Inpartnership – the newsletter time of Covid, Forest Schools, bringing well-being to for PCSPs which highlights local events and NI, health reform and paying for social care. initiatives; PCSP Inpartnership February/March2021 | Policing and Community Safety Partnerships Scope can be accessed at; http://scopeni.nicva.org/

Catch up on what’s been happening at the Board in Policing Matters at; Policing Matters March 2021 | Northern Ireland Policing Board (nipolicingboard.org.uk)

COVID-19 vaccination - What to expect and translations

You will receive a copy of this leaflet BSL after you have had your first vaccine. It ISL contains information on the vaccine, potential side effects and what to do Additional information next. Plain text translations of this leaflet are available to download below. If you need this information in a This leaflet is also available in Large language that is not available here, you can use the print format. An accessible Word Browsealoud facility on this website. document is available below. This tool can translate and/or read aloud over 90 other COVID-19 vaccination – A guide for languages. adults BSL and ISL videos produced by the BDA are available here and The full list of languages available is here and include information on what to expect instructions for how to use the Browsealoud option are after vaccination: available to download here.

Events

Reclassification and the role of What will you learn? tenants Book now As part of a wider series looking at this change, the Date; 15 April 2021, 10.00 to 11.00 webinar will focus on previous social housing stock transfers, both successful and unsuccessful. We will A webinar examining stock transfers and the tenant also take a closer look at the important role of tenant participation process. With change on the horizon for participation as part this process and discuss past the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, set to classify initiatives that we can learn from. its landlord arm as a mutual or co-operative, CIH Northern Ireland want to give our members the This webinar in specific is tailored for, but not limited to, opportunity to play a central role in this conversation housing professionals in Northern Ireland. going forward.

Coming out of Lockdown – Workshops

After 12 months of lockdown, we are looking forward to getting out and about again safely. However, this can be an anxious time for people as the environment has changed & you may not feel as confident.

Guide Dogs NI and RNIB NI are offering people living The sessions are on Thursday 15th April from 10am – with sight loss an opportunity to come together to 12pm on Microsoft teams or Tuesday 27th April from discuss and gain practical support in coming out of 2pm – 4pm on Zoom. lockdown along with their friends, family or support network. Whether you’ve lived with sight loss for many Places are limited, but we can add on more sessions if years or are newly diagnosed, these sessions might be there is a demand. for you. You can attend alone, or with your support network. In these sessions we will discuss what lockdown has Please contact [email protected] or been like for you, empower you to discuss your [email protected] to register your preferences in being guided when you are getting out place including your name, number and who would like and about again and share sighted guiding techniques to attend with you. for your support network.

Development Trusts NI Half-day conference discussing the role of communities in the post-pandemic recovery.

This unique event takes a look at how communities can thrive and make a meaningful contribution to the post- COVID recovery through the prism of wellbeing economics.

We will also talk about the National Lottery Community Fund's Civil Society Approach - an attempt to bolster and embolden the community sector to be prepared for Breakout sessions, facilitated by local community the future by providing access to community assets, development leaders and NLCF will include: technology and shared knowledge. • Thriving & Powerful Communities These two approaches overlap with the principles of • Adaptation & Resilience Community Wealth Building, an agenda that DTNI will be • Community Infrastructure driving throughout 2021. • Equipping Communities to Shape the Future

There will be an opportunity to put your questions to the Register at Eventbrite panel, to network with other delegates and to shape how https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/powerful-communities- we continue with the enquiry into the needs of wealth-wellbeing-tickets-14… communities in NI during 2021.

Events cont’d

Training

Training cont’d New Digital Inclusion Courses in April

Supporting Communities has added several new courses to our range of digital inclusion training with a little something for everyone, both fun and practical.

Check out our April list of digital skills sessions and discover something new! Sessions are free of charge to anyone residing in Northern Ireland. Each course lasts around an hour and will be delivered over Zoom.

More Details Get more details for each Digital Inclusion session at these links or in our events listings.

• Online Safety: Scam Awareness • Learn to Make the Most of Facebook • Learn to Make the Most of Instagram • Banking Online Safety Demonstration • How to Use an Alexa (Echo) • Virtual Tours: An Online Taster Session • Using the Camera and Editing Tools on your Device

You can also read more about all of our upcoming training events, including OCN level courses.

Register Your Place To register for any of these sessions: Contact Stephanie McKillip, Digital Inclusion Officer [email protected]

Please note, these sessions are aimed at people living in Northern Ireland.

If you need some help setting up Zoom in advance of any course, please get in touch with Stef who can walk you through the steps.

Keeping Children Safe: Designated Officer Refresher Training

This is a half day’s refresher training for Designated Officers who have already attended a full day’s training.

It covers:

• The role and responsibilities of the Designated Officer • Health and Social Care Trusts structures and processes • Issues and experiences around referrals and sharing information • Recent developments in safeguarding children and young people

All participants must have completed a safeguarding children awareness raising course prior to attending.

Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis and are limited to a maximum of 3 per organisation.

Joining information will be sent out the day before the session.

Click here for instructions on how to create a Training Account.

For more information on these and on other Volunteer Now courses, go to; Home - Volunteer Now

Training cont’d Advice NI Training Courses

Advice NI's exciting new qualifications are now open for Advice NI has launched a registration. These cover the skills, knowledge, New Wiseradviser E-Learning processes and practice of providing multi-channel advice Course on Supporting Clients in relation to social security benefits in Northern Ireland. with Addictions.

The course covers all advice skills required for This course is about clients with gambling, alcohol, or individuals to meet the Northern Ireland Advice Quality drug problems. The overall objective of this course is to Standard and introduces learners to the core advice enable front-line staff to recognise when clients may topics for generalist advisers. have an addiction problem and to be able to handle such situations with sensitivity, offering appropriate support The Adviser NI courses are Blended Learning consisting and signposting to external sources of help. of pre-recorded content available for Anytime Online access on our Learning Management System. Here This course is worth 1 CPD Point under the NIAQS learners have access to video lessons, resources and (Northern Ireland Advice Quality Standard) and will take learning activities. up to 1 hour to complete.

Throughout the course there are also scheduled Live You can find full details by clicking on this link: Anytime Online group tutorial sessions on Zoom. Online - Wiseradviser E-Learning Course on Supporting Click here to find out more Clients with Addictions | Advice NI

Housing Rights Training Courses

Challenging Negative Housing

Decisions Online Seminar • Temporary accommodation pending review Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - 10:00 to 13:00 • The principles of judicial review and appeals to County Court This course will ensure that participants have the knowledge and skills to challenge negative decisions. It • The role of the Ombudsman will cover the legislative framework as well as common problems and tactics. Who should attend: This course will be of particular importance for housing This course will cover: advisers, community groups, political party constituency staff, private, social and hostel accommodation • Administrative decision making providers. • Procedures applicable for challenging different negative decisions For more information and to keep up to date on Housing • Reviewing requests and submissions Rights activities, go to; • Conducting homelessness investigations and https://www.housingrights.org.uk/training-events reviews with confidence

Please take our Survey! To help ensure our training meets the needs of those who use it, we have pulled together a very short survey. This will help us to plan training sessions in the coming year that will meet the current needs of the Advice Sector. It would be a great help to us if you could spare a few minutes to fill it in! Click here to take our short survey 11

Funding

The Police Property Fund is made up of assets • Contributes to building community safety and/or recovered by the PSNI as a result of criminal confidence in the police; and investigations and administered by the Northern Ireland • Is aligned to a charitable purpose. Policing Board in line with the Police (Property) Regulations NI 1997. An invite to the webinar launch has been attached for your information. Funding available will be administered in both Small Grants and Large Grants calls. This event will provide an opportunity for interested groups to hear more about the Scheme and how to The first call will administer £100k in funding for Small apply so it would be appreciated if this invitation could Grants. be shared with/ within your networks.

The Board has agreed that applications for funding will All details of how to apply and supporting application need to demonstrate that the project: documentation can be found at • Engages with local police https://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/police-property-fund

RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Fund

An Open Grant Round A public call for applications will take place to grant remaining funds (40% of net proceeds) to eligible charities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (the Republic of Ireland applications will be processed • Theme 2: Improving well-being – giving through the Community Foundation Ireland). opportunities to improve the physical and mental health of children who are disadvantaged or have This distribution gives an opportunity to provide a additional needs. minimum of 55 impactful grants to organisations and • Theme 3: Reducing inequality through creative charities which serve children in need across Ireland. engagement – giving opportunities for children to engage with creative and cultural activities that These grants will ensure a national and regional spread enhance their personal development. of the funds and benefits will reach families and communities across the country. Organisations can apply to one of the themes only. Closing Date: Apr 16, 2021 Grants to be issued under three thematic areas of need: • Theme 1: Ensuring basic needs – providing grants For more information and to apply please visit https:// to ensure children’s basic needs are met, like communityfoundationni.org/grants/rte-toy-show-appeal/ warmth, security, safety, food and housing.

VitalTalks All-Island Community Fund

The Community Foundation for Ireland, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and our partners are inviting you to attend a special VitalTalks on our new All Island Community Fund at 1pm on Thursday 1st We will also hear from guest speaker Susan McKay as April 2021 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon well as The Children’s Rights Alliance and the Children’s Coveney, TD. Law Centre on their vision for partnership which delivers for communities. The VitalTalks will be an opportunity to hear how we are inviting co-operation between organisations on both To register please visit https://us02web.zoom.us/ sides of the border to make an impact and give a strong webinar/register/WN_1LmDIl61R12BO776KastsQ voice to civic society.

Funding cont’d The 2021-22 Human Rights and Equality Grants Scheme is now open The scheme is open to civil society organisations, Activities that the Human Rights and Equality Grant including community and voluntary organisations, non- Scheme 2021-22 can support include: governmental organisations, rights-holder groups, area- • Participatory education and training activities based community groups, communities of interest • Projects focused on engaging people in shaping groups, and trade unions from across the country, who policy and legislation reform can bring forward proposals on empowering people and • Conferences, seminars and roundtables communities to understand and claim their rights and be • Campaigns and print or digital tools part of decision-making that affects them. • Participatory research and policy analysis This includes people at risk of discrimination protected • Monitoring compliance of public bodies with under the nine grounds of Ireland’s equality legislation: human rights and equality standards gender, civil status, family status, age, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion, and membership of The successful projects will build understanding and the Traveller community and people at risk of poverty leadership; empower people and communities who face and social exclusion. the greatest barriers to advocate for their rights and be involved in the decisions that affect them; and to help Small grants of up to €6,000 and general grants of up to place human rights and equality at the centre of €20,000 will be awarded to support activities under three legislation, policies and practice. strands: • Advancing Social and Economic Rights and The closing date for applications will be 4pm on 22 Equality April 2021. For more information and to apply please visit https://www.ihrec.ie/our-work/human-rights-and- • Combatting Racism and Racial Discrimination equality-grants-scheme-2021-22 • Progressing the Rights of People with Disabilities

Children In Need COVID-19 Funding Streams

Main Grants 2020 - Over £10,000 per year

Key Information: • Grants may be up to 3 years in length • Organisations can apply for £10,001 or more, per year Small Grants 2020 – Up to £10,000 per year • You can not apply for more than £40,000 per year Key Information: • We are highly unlikely to award above £100k in total • Grants may be up to 3 years in length • Organisations may only apply for a Main Grants or • Organisations can apply for up to (and including) a Small grant in this round, not both. £10,000 per year. • We are unable to fund work supporting young How much can I apply for? people who have experienced Child Sexual Applications can be for £10,001 or more, per year. You Exploitation through our Small Grants can not apply for more than £40,000 per year. We Programme. If you are looking to apply for this expect the average grant size to be around 30k per type of work, please see our Main Grants year. • Organisations may only apply for a Main Grants or a Small grant in this round, not both. If you are applying for three years of funding, we are unlikely to award more than £100,000 in total. How much can I apply for? Eligible organisations will be able to apply for up to We expect most awards to be less than this and £10,000 per year. Organisations will not be able to apply proportional to the size and capacity of the organisation. for more than £30,000 in total. Please only ask for what you need to support children and young people at this time. If you want to apply for more than this, please see our Main Grants Programme. If you want to apply for less than this, please see our Small Grants Programme. For more information and to apply to either grants please visit https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/grants/covid- 19-funding-streams/

Funding cont’d Arnold Clarke Community Fund Now open to all UK registered and unregistered Entries must be charities and local community groups needing financial received by 11.59pm on assistance due to the coronavirus pandemic. the last day of each month to be considered Requests can be made for £100 - £1000. 500 for that month. applications will be granted (at random) each month. If your application is unsuccessful one month, they’ll keep Applications received after the closing date of the 31st you in the draw, which will roll over to the following May 2021 will not be eligible and will not be processed month. or considered.

Applicants will be randomly selected at the start of each For more information and to apply please visit month to receive funding. https://www.arnoldclark.com/community-fund/terms-and- conditions

The Ireland Funds – Heart of the Community Fund The Ireland Funds is proud to announce the launch of Awards will be offered in the the Heart of the Community Fund. This will provide following 2 tiers: critical and timely funding to a wide range of not-for-profit • €2,500 organizations across the Republic of Ireland and • €5,000 Northern Ireland. *Please note that organisations may only apply for one We aim to support organisations who are responding to tier of funding. We anticipate that a large number of the ongoing and immediate needs created by COVID-19 applications will be submitted so please carefully and whose day-to-day operations continue to be directly consider which tier is the appropriate level for your impacted by COVID-19. Funding will support those proposed application. organisations who continue to adapt their work to respond to the changing needs of their beneficiaries. The Heart of the Community Fund will accept applications online from Thursday, March 18 until The Heart of the Community Fund offers awards up to 3:00pm GMT on Thursday, April 8, 2021. €5,000 for small, not-for-profits and community organisations with an annual turnover of less than For more information and to apply, please visit €/£500,000. https://irelandfunds.org/grants/? fbclid=IwAR2eblywGJBurlgUnhimuyKXv1pgiOf49Kg4xIz g453z110iVwyo-r60hbA

Standard Life Foundation Accepting Applications for Winter 2021 Funding

Funding for research, campaigning and policy work to There is no minimum or maximum size of grant. improve living standards and personal finances for people on low to middle incomes in the UK. Organisations should apply for the amount they need. Typically grants range between £10,000 and £200,000, The funding is intended for strategic work, including with most being between £50,000 and £120,000 in total. policy work, campaigning and research, which has The funding may be spread over one, two or three the potential to improve ﬁnancial wellbeing at a years, and sometimes shorter periods, for example six national scale. months.

The Foundation is interested in funding projects that The deadline for outline applications is 3 June 2021 examine and promote measures to: (13:00).

• Increase incomes for those on low-to-middle For more information and to apply please visit incomes. https://www.standardlifefoundation.org.uk/home • Ensure people have an adequate safety net, building savings and assets. • Reduce the cost of living, making sure those on lower incomes are not paying more. • Address issues related to spending and borrowing, particularly where it becomes problematic.

Funding cont’d Funding Clinic Sessions

Tuesday, 13 April 2021 Tuesday, 27 April 2021 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Get one-to-one support in a 45-minute funding session with Anita Doonan, Funding and Social Value Officer.

This can be by phone or video call, whatever you prefer!

• Practical advice on completing successful funding applications

• Access information on a variety of potential funders

• Get one to one support, top tips & a range of ideas to make sure your application stands out from the crowd

Book Your Place

This service is free for HCN members and just £35 for Non-HCN members.

Email [email protected] to arrange a time.

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