DfC: Covid Recovery Programme for Organisations 2022

The programme has been co-designed with seven sectoral bodies who will deliver the scheme and make awards of up to £50,000*.

The programme’s overarching aim is to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on not-for-profit organisation in the culture, arts, languages, heritage, sports, charities and social enterprise sectors.

All organisations across these sectors should consult the delivery partners’ websites and social media platforms for further information on opening dates, closing dates, pre-application information, eligibility and assessment criteria, guidance and application forms.

Click here to review FAQs.

NICVA Information Sessions
NICVA is holding two online information sessions on the Department for Communities Covid Recovery Programme for Organisations 2022. The content is the same for both so you only need to attend one.
Register for session one on 10 January 2022 - 2:00pm to 3:00pm    OR   session two on 12 January 2022 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm

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A single funding scheme will allow sectoral organisations to apply through the channel that best reflects their primary purpose.  Some may fit within more than one primary purpose, but it will be for the applicant organisation to select only one delivery partner. 

Charities and Social Enterprise - Community Finance Ireland

Delivered by: Community Finance Ireland
Primary Purpose: Charities and Social Enterprise
Dates: Opens 9:00am on 05 January 2022 and closes 5:00pm on 28 January 2022
Who Can Apply:

Eligible charities 

• An Organisation formed prior to 31st March 2021 and lawfully operating as a charity as defined by the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008; 
• An Organisation registered as a charity with the Charity Commission Northern Ireland or has submitted an expression of intent to register with the Commission prior to 31 March 2021 
• A Section 167 charity provided that it has submitted an expression of intent to register with the Charity Commission Northern Ireland before 31 March 2021 and can provide separate financial information relating to it NI only activities. 

Eligible Social Enterprises

The organisation is a Social Enterprise and must be able to answer yes to all of the following:

• The organisation is a trading business, selling goods and services, whose primary objective is to achieve social and/or environmental benefit.
• The Social Enterprise operates in Northern Ireland or primarily delivers services/activities in communities in NI and has done before 31 March 2021.
• The Social Enterprise Governing Documents require that, upon dissolution, the assets would transfer to another organisation with similar aims and objectives or be applied in full for an appropriate social purpose

Arts - Arts Council NI

Delivered by:  Arts Council
Primary Purpose: Arts
Dates: Opens 2:00pm on 07January 2022 and closes 12:00pm(noon) on 28 January 2022
Who Can Apply:​

​​Constituted Arts, culture and community organisations/companies whose primary purpose is to create, present or support one (or more) of a range of defined artistic genres.

Film & Independent Cinema - NI Screen

Delivered by: NI Screen
Primary Purpose: Film & Independent Cinema
Dates: Opens 2:00pm on 07January 2022 and closes 12pm(noon) on 28 January 2022
Who Can Apply:

Constituted organisations/companies whose primary purpose relates to film and independent cinemae and that carry out the majority of their work in Northern Ireland

Heritage  - National Lottery Heritage Fund

Delivered by: National Lottery Heritage Fund
Primary Purpose: Heritage Organisations 
Dates: Opens 17 December 2021 and closes 12:00pm(noon) on 21 January 2022
Who Can Apply:

• Not for profit organisations that manage heritage sites, venues, collections or attractions, or
• Not for profit organisations that provide significant support to the heritage sector.
• If your organisation is based in England, Scotland, Wales or the Republic of Ireland and you manage heritage in Northern Ireland, you are eligible to apply provided that you are a not for profit organisation and able to provide separate financial information relating solely to heritage activity in Northern Ireland. 

Covid Recovery Programme for Heritage Individuals is also available. Opens 17 December 2021 and closes 12:00pm(noon) on 28 January 2022. Click here for more information. 

Irish Language - Glór na nGael

Delivered by: Glór na nGael
Primary Purpose: Irish Language
Dates: Opens 07 January 2022 and closes 5pm on 28 January 2022
Who Can Apply:

Constituted organisations/companies whose primary purpose is the promotion of the Irish language.

Sport - Sport NI

Delivered by: Sport NI
Primary Purpose: Sport
Dates: Opens 07January 2022 and closes 12:00pm(noon) on 28 January 2022
Who Can Apply:

Ulster Scots - Ulster-Scots Agency

Delivered by: Ulster-Scots Agency
Primary Purpose: Ulster Scots
Dates: Opens 9:00am 07 January 2022 and closes 5:00pm on 28 January 2022
Who Can Apply:

• Ulster-Scots constituted group (i.e. with Ulster-Scots in the name).
• Marching band that identifies as part of the Ulster-Scots community.
• A constituted group that has delivered/facilitated Ulster-Scots programming at any point in the last three years.

The Executive has announced a £40 million support package for businesses in the hospitality sector. Over 3,200 businesses will be eligible for a one-off grant payment under the Omicron Hospitality Payment scheme, subject to regulations. Recipients of this payment must declare this amount in their calculations with any applications to the Covid Recovery Fund 2022. Information and updates on the Scheme are available at: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-omicron-hospitality-payment.