The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award/Joint Award Initiative's funding for Voluntary & Community Sector in Northern Ireland

Launched on 4 July, the Access Without Limits voluntary and community sector (VCS) funding is being made available thanks to the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, which has donated £3 million to help widen our reach across the voluntary and community sector. 

The funding aims to ensure that the Award is available to all young people and to help the organisation reach the most diverse generation of young people ever. 

Eligible voluntary and community organisations which do not currently offer the Award programme can access up to £10,250 of grant funding combined with support from a a dedicated member of staff to help set up, launch and deliver the Award programme. (Eligibility criteria and details of how to apply are available on our website).

We are the world’s leading youth achievement Award, giving 14-24 year olds the opportunity to take on their own challenges, follow their passions, make a difference in their communities, and discover talents they never knew they had. Each young person builds their own Award programme – picking activities and choosing where to volunteer – in order to achieve a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award.

Gaisce – The President’s Award and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award work in partnership through the Joint Award Initiative (JAI) to offer Award participants in Northern Ireland a choice of recognition for their achievements. 

On completion of their Award programme, young people can choose: a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award;  a Gaisce – The President’s Award; or  a Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award certificate.

Access Without Limits grants will be awarded on a rolling basis over the next three years with the next deadline for submission on Monday 31st October.

If you would like more information, please contact Jim Peacock on 02890699107 or at [email protected]. 

You can also find out more by signing up to their webinar, hosted by NICVA Fundraising Advice, on 26th September. CLICK HERE.

Useful links

• https://www.dofe.org/access-without-limits-funding/
• https://www.theawardni.org/