Belfast community grants to support prevention of violence against women and girls
Community organisations in Belfast are being offered funding to challenge attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence against women and girls, with a particular emphasis on education and prevention.
By Keep Updated UK Newsroom
Published:
Belfast City Council is administering a new round of Local Change Fund grants as part of Northern Ireland’s wider strategy to end violence against women and girls. The fund is one of 11 local initiatives aligned with the Northern Ireland Executive’s strategic framework.
The council says the grants are intended for programmes that help residents recognise harmful behaviour, discuss it openly and take practical steps to challenge it. This is a focus on preventing violence and changing social attitudes, rather than a replacement for emergency or specialist support services.
Projects engaging men and boys encouraged
Organisations proposing work with men and boys are particularly encouraged to apply. That can include programmes exploring respectful behaviour, challenging harmful assumptions and helping people become active allies in efforts to prevent violence.
The council says previous rounds supported projects involving sports teams, educational discussions, games designed to build understanding and community ambassadors who help their peers recognise and discuss harmful behaviour.
A locally delivered approach
This is the third year Belfast City Council has delivered Local Change Fund grants. The council is seeking proposals from community and voluntary organisations based in the city rather than announcing a predetermined list of finished projects.
Projects supported in this year’s round must be delivered by the end of March 2027. The September council announcement does not state a single grant amount or an overall closing date, so applicants should use the current official guidance for financial limits and submission requirements.
How progress can be assessed
Education and prevention programmes can be important parts of a broader response to violence, but the award of a grant alone does not prove a lasting reduction in harm. The outcomes will depend on the quality of projects, participation and how results are measured.
Belfast City Council directs interested organisations to its funding pages and its work on ending violence against women and girls for eligibility information and application instructions.
Sources & Further Information
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