Community Relations Council
Equity Diversity Interdependence
Promoting a Peaceful and Fair
Society based on Reconciliation
and Mutual Trust.
Funding And Development
Funding & Development Programme
What does the Funding & Development Programme do?
The Funding & Development Programme's role within the Community Relations Council is to support and advise groups on their activities and projects which encourage a positive awareness of difference and diversity both within and between communities.
The Programme initiates and supports projects that explore our identities and cultures and which promote inclusive discussion and debate. The Programme is most able to assist projects which challenge those negative stereotypes which sustain division and conflict in our society.
Aim of the Programme
"To assist local people and organisations throughout Northern Ireland in dealing with the causes and effects of communal division".
The Programme has a number of areas of work in carrying out its main objective:
Grant Aiding
The Funding & Development Programme provides financial and developmental support to groups and organisations through the following grant aiding schemes:
1. Community Relations & Cultural Diversity Grant Scheme
The programme's small grants scheme is aimed at increasing opportunities for people from differing traditions to develop relationships of trust and understanding and the confidence to address issues of difference between them.
Opening date for CR/CD Grant Scheme is 1st April 2013.
Deadline for submission of applications for projects taking place between April 2013 – March 2014 (Financial Year) is 4pm on Friday 13th December 2013.
Grant Aid must be spent by – Monday 31st March 2014
2. Core Funding Programme for Community Relations Groups
This Core Funding Scheme contributes towards the salary and running costs of a number of organisations which are considered of strategic importance in promoting community relations and/or cultural diversity work in Northern Ireland. The organisations and the nature if the work which may be supported are publicised in the Councils annual report. Examples of these include peace and reconciliation centres; those involved in mediation and conflict transformation training; community arts; church-based work on reconciliation themes; cultural organisations and interface projects.
The Core Funding Programme application materials are now available to download
.Core Funding Guidance Notes
The Core Funding Programme is currently closed to applications. The Programme is likely to reopen in September 2013 to applications for 2014 – 2015.
Please contact the Core Funding Officer, Frances Dennison if you require any further information on this grant scheme.
Victims/Survivors Groups Development Grant Scheme - for information on grants contact the Victims Service http://www.cvsni.org/
4. Research awards
This programme, which receives applications on an annual basis, aims to support original research and other creative approaches to community relations work. Research awards may last for up to a 12-month period and must be the main source of income for the successful candidates.
The deadline for the submission of applications is 4pm on Fri 18th January 2012.
To view details of the scheme click here
Cultural Diversity work
The programme supports projects that challenge negative stereotyping in local culture and promote a positive awareness of cultural diversity. Themes regularly covered in this field include historical, artistic, linguistic and festival events and applicants are welcome from all sectors of society. Projects that provide opportunities to critically examine culture and identity in Northern Ireland are most likely to achieve support.
The Programme understands the importance of tackling the effects of communal division and supporting healing in our communities and this is seen as necessary components to contribute to the processes of peace and reconciliation in our society.
Work with community/voluntary groups
The programme supports the work of local community and voluntary organisations and groups to develop local and regional initiatives and projects, which address community relations issues. Projects supported create opportunities, which raise awareness of and develop responses to issues such as cultural identity, understanding of difference, peace building, and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Single Identity Work
The programme in line with its "Guidelines for Single Identity Work" supports projects and initiatives, which provide opportunities for communities/groups to reflect on and address issues of identity within a safe space. Groups from a single tradition have the opportunity to debate complex issues relating to the NI conflict and to enable exploration of their own culture as part of this process. The Councils raison d'etre is the promotion of good community relations and single identity work that seeks to lead to an increased awareness, understanding, respect, acknowledgement, tolerance, and active participation in the development of a pluralist society characterised by the core principles of Equity, Diversity and Interdependence.
The Programme is overseen by two Committee's:
1. Community Initiative Committee
The Community Initiatives Committee's membership:
Council members: David Russell (Chair), Hassan Mansour, Robin Morton, Jacqueline Witherow, Leon Litvack, Rosie McCorley, Tony Kennedy, Jonny Byrne
Co-opted group members: as and when required.
The roles and responsibilities of the Committees are to:
Advise and support Council staff in their management of the Programme's work;
share information and provide guidance on strategies and developments for the Programme's work;
respond to Council staff's proposals and recommendations as the Committee decides; and
where necessary to participate in and/or identify suitable participants for working groups to manage the Programme's work.
Programme staff:
Paul Jordan - Director Funding and Development - pjordan@nicrc.org.uk
Deirdre Mac Bride - Cultural Diversity Programme Director - dmacbride@nicrc.org.uk
Roisin Montague - Project Officer - CRCD - rmontague@nicrc.org.uk (
Frances Dennison - Core Funding - fdennison@nicrc.org.uk
Judith Hamilton - Project Officer - jhamilton@nicrc.org.uk
Theresa Cullen - Centre Attendant (Dungannon) - tcullen@nicrc.org.uk
Patricia Marsh - Administrative Officer - pmarsh@nicrc.org.uk
