With funding from Dormant Assets NI through the National Lottery Community Fund’s Access to Resilience Programme, we will provide tailored support to small VCSE (Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise) organisations with annual incomes between £10,000 and £100,000.
The NICVA ASCEND* Programme aims to build connections with the groups that represent ethnically minoritised people, develop leadership and build capacity to help strengthen their organisations.
Seven organisations will participate each year and support will be delivered through a combination of mentoring, one-to-one coaching, training sessions, and networking events. Areas of focus include leadership development, good governance, fundraising, measuring impact, collaboration, and sustainability. Participating organisations also have access to GrantTracker and review of their governing document. If you are interested in hearing more about this programme please contact Lynda Gould the Project Co-ordinator - [email protected].
The CO3 Advancing Our Communities Programme, has been designed to build leadership, capacity and resilience within six African Diaspora community organisations over a three year period.
Through tailored leadership development training, access to a carefully matched expert Mentor, and excellent networking opportunities, participants will gain the confidence and strategies needed to drive sustainable change in their communities.
For information about the CO3 programme contact [email protected].
Celine McStravick NICVA, CEO said
“This vital initiative represents NICVA's commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable voluntary sector in Northern Ireland. By working directly with ethnically minoritised communities, we aim to break down systemic barriers and ensure these essential organisations have the tools, resources, and support networks they need to amplify their impact. This programme isn't just about providing support – it's about building lasting partnerships and ensuring diverse voices help shape the future of our sector”
Valerie McConville CO3, Chief Executive said
"CO3 are delighted to be offering this “Advancing our Communities” Programme, funded through the Access to Resilience Fund (Dormant Assets NI) aimed at building leadership capacity in African Diaspora Community Organisations.
We are looking forward to working with the leaders of these groups over the coming years, helping them to build resilient, connected organisations with strong networks of learning and support with other CO3 Members."
Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund, who deliver Dormant Assets NI funding, said
“We are pleased to award NICVA a £148,873 grant and CO3 a £149,051 grant, so that they can broaden access to their services by minoritised groups, helping them to develop capacity, skills and good governance.
“The aim of Dormant Assets NI is to strengthen organisations by building their capacity and making them more fit for the future. We know that smaller community and volunteer-led organisations need the help of network organisations like NICVA and CO3 to do this, which is why we have made this investment to boost the invaluable work that they do.
“We are fortunate to have resources from Dormant Assets to build the capacity, resilience and sustainability of the Community and Voluntary Sector in Northern Ireland. We will be engaging with the sector in the coming months about the next phase of funding.”
*ASCEND Programme (Access, Support, Capacity, Empowerment, Network, and Development)
