The Community Relations Council (CRC) has today revealed that its Core Funded groups are generating a return of £5.10 for every £1 invested, proving that peacebuilding is not just a social necessity but a major economic asset for Northern Ireland.
The figures were released at the Making A Difference 2026: Building Belonging conference in The Jethro Centre Lurgan, a major gathering of peacebuilders and policymakers. The event launched the latest “CRC Core Fund Impact Profiles” highlighting the vital, often unseen work that provides the structural scaffolding for peace across the region.
Speaking at the event, CRC highlighted that an investment of £1.25 million for 28 Core Funded organisations during the year successfully leveraged an additional £6.4 million from other sources. This multiplier effect underscores the high level of trust and credibility these groups possess.
Martin McDonald MBE, Chair of the Community Relations Council, said:
“At a time when conversations around identity, inclusion and belonging are more critical than ever, the work of our core-funded groups remains a beacon of hope. Recent PSNI statistics highlight continuing concerns around sectarianism and hate-related incidents, reinforcing the absolute necessity of initiatives that promote understanding and connection.
“This £5.10 return on every pound is not just a financial triumph: it pays for the structural scaffolding of strategic peacebuilding. We are funding the essential Good Relations posts and community presence that make true partnership possible. The true return is human – it is the safe spaces created, the courageous conversations held, the daily pushback against division, and the undeniable economic return that proves community relations is a value-generating necessity for our region’s future.”
The impact of stability
The Making A Difference 2026: Building Belonging conference revealed that CRC Core Funding is currently supporting 67 job posts and facilitating work across 517 locations.
By covering essential operational costs, this funding scheme provides the stability required for groups to build trust over years rather than months.
This stability has allowed the 28 organisations to reach 69,000 project beneficiaries in total over the last year alone.
Read the Core Impact Profiles 2026 here.
Solutions for the future and upcoming deadlines
Attendees at the conference participated in practical Learning Labs designed to equip practitioners with actionable tools to tackle difficult situations on the ground. These sessions addressed critical themes such as community resilience, youth identity, creating inclusive communities, and managing constructive dialogue.
The event also served as a catalyst for upcoming initiatives. Crucially, the next CRC Core Funding Scheme will officially open for applications on Thursday 01 October 2026, providing further opportunity to sustain and expand this vital peacebuilding infrastructure.
Additionally, Good Relations Week 2026 (themed INCLUDE) will commence shortly after on 12 October.
Notes to editors
The Community Relations Council (CRC) was established in 1990 to promote better community relations and recognises that peacebuilding is a long-term process. CRC provides financial support, policy advice and guidance to community groups and organisations working to build a shared and peaceful society in the region.
Key Statistics from the 2026 Impact Report:
- Total Core Fund Investment: £1.25 million
- Additional Funding Leveraged: £6.4 million
- Return on Investment: £5.10 for every £1 invested
- Posts Supported: 67 total job posts supported through the scheme
- Beneficiaries: 69,000 project beneficiaries in total
- Key Dates: Core Funding Scheme opens for applications on 1 October 2026
Media Contact: Peter Day, CRC Director of Engagement, pday@nicrc.org.uk, 028 9022 7500
Photos
Pictured at the launch of the CRC Core Fund Impact Profiles 2026 are (l-r): Claire Harris, CRC Board; Jacqueline Irwin, CRC CEO; Martin McDonald MBE, CRC Chair; Professor Dominic Bryan (Keynote Speaker), Queen’s University Belfast; John McCallister, CRC Board.
Pictured at the launch of the CRC Core Fund Impact Profiles 2026 are CRC Core-funded organisations.
Pictured at the launch of the CRC Core Fund Impact Profiles 2026 are (l-r): Jacqueline Irwin, CRC CEO; Janet Johnston, TEO; Martin McDonald MBE, CRC Chair.
Pictured at the launch of the CRC Core Fund Impact Profiles 2026 are (l-r): Jacqueline Irwin, CRC CEO; Martin McDonald MBE, CRC Chair.