Details of the Strategy and Public Consultation
The Northern Ireland Executive has launched a 14-week public consultation on its Anti-Poverty Strategy 2025–2035.
The consultation opened on 17 June 2025 and will close on 19 September 2025 at 5:00 PM.
Features of the Strategy Document
The strategy as detailed is built around three core pillars:
- Minimising Risks – Preventing people from falling into poverty.
- Minimising Impacts – Reducing the negative effects of poverty on individuals and communities.
- Exiting Poverty – Supporting people to move out of poverty sustainably.
The document states the strategies vision is to eradicate poverty and its impacts effectively and sustainably. The strategy outlines a framework for action that includes:
- Strengthening the economy
- Improving access to education and training
- Enhancing health and wellbeing
- Promoting equality of opportunity
How to Respond
The consultation invites feedback from all stakeholders, including members of the public. Participants are invited to share their views on:
- The strategy’s vision and pillars
- Proposed outcomes and actions
- Headline and pillar-specific indicators
Responses can be submitted via an online survey or by email.
You can view full details of the consultation and how to respond Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy Public Consultation - NI Direct - Citizen Space
NI Anti Poverty Strategy Group Response
NICVA is part of the civil society Anti-Poverty Strategy Group.
The Anti-Poverty Strategy Group is made up of former members of the Anti-Poverty Co-Design Group which was originally convened by the former Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey to work alongside the Department to inform design of an Anti-Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland.
The group published its recommendations paper in September 2022. This was a comprehensive, evidence-based, suite of recommendations on how an Anti - Poverty Strategy could meaningfully address poverty in Northern Ireland. You can view this paper here Members of the DfC Anti-Poverty Strategy Co-Design Group produce Key Recommendations Paper | NICVA
Since this period the group has continued to press for progress against publication and delivery of the strategy by the Department for Communities and wider NI Executive.
On sighting the draft document, after careful analysis the group unanimously agreed the draft strategy as currently published is "not fit for purpose" and has committed to publishing our own proposals in the coming weeks.
The group has issued a press statement in response to publication of the strategy, expressing its disappointment and concern, as part of which NICVA commented:
"For too long now, the voluntary and community sector has been standing in the gap where a robust Anti-Poverty Strategy should be - providing crucial early intervention, prevention and crisis support across Northern Ireland. The NI Executive must deliver a braver, more courageous and fully co-designed long-term plan to eradicate poverty that is cross-departmental, targeted, and supported by ring-fenced funding. NICVA will continue to work constructively with Government to make this a reality."
A copy of the groups full statement is attached in this article.
NICVA is currently working alongside other group members to update the Groups original recommendations paper, which will soon be available and is designed to garner wider civil society support for its calls.
A copy of the groups report and plans for wider civil society engagement regarding will be made available soon and NICVA will endeavor to keep the sector fully updated and engaged regarding.
