New fund for refurbishment of community facilities launches

Last updated
26 October, 2025
Pictured at the launch of the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund at the Pomeroy Forest Building are (l-r) Kate Clifford, Director, Rural Community Network; Jane Gribbin, Community Engagement Manager  Volunteer Now; Paul Boylan, Director of Programmes and Strategic Development, Co-operation Ireland; Department for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA; Celine McStravick, CEO, NICVA; Paul McNaught, Director of Regional Development, Department for Communities;  Lauri McCusker, Director, Fermanagh T

The Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund is a small capital grant scheme for voluntary and community organisations. The Fund is a £4.32 million grant scheme to support voluntary and community sector organisations to improve the internal or external fabric of their existing community buildings. The fund is being delivered by the Department for Communities in partnership with Co-operation Ireland.

The aim is to enable community organisations to better meet the needs of their community and/or improve the quality and range of activities delivered in community buildings.

Open to non-for-profit voluntary and community organisations, all projects must contribute to one or more of the following objectives: 

  1. Improve the physical condition of community buildings
  2. Increase energy efficiency and reduce maintenance costs of community buildings
  3. Increased accessibility of community buildings
  4. Increase usage of community buildings

The total costs of your capital project must be a minimum of £10,000, up to a maximum of £50,000. 

The scheme will provide funding towards:

  • repairs to existing community buildings (for example, refurbishment or structural repairs, roof work, repairs to meet health and safety or building regulations)
  • small scale refurbishment or renovation works to improve communal facilities, for example kitchen and toilets or changes to enable multi-use of premises
  • capital works for accessibility improvements (upgrades such as ramps or lifts)
  • energy efficiency measures (such as boiler replacement, window upgrades, insulation, heating systems, or solar panels).

The scheme will open for Expressions of Interest on 1 October 2025 and close on 29 October 2025 for projects to be delivered between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027.

Projects that pass the Expression of Interest stage will be invited to complete a full application to be submitted by 9 January 2026. 

For further information and Guidance Notes and to register for one of the upcoming Information Sessions hosted by representatives from DfC and Co-Operation Ireland visit here.

Jocelyn
Horton
Fundraising Advice Officer