Insight and latest updates from our team

Paul Montgomery, Operations Lead, gives an overview of the Stroke Association’s cashless donations journey, from early testing in 2024 and use at staffed events in 2025, to getting the technology in the hands of the supporter in 2026.

Nuala Devenny from The Rainbow Project, and a member of our new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Stakeholder Group, invites interest organisations to take advantage of their funded LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training.

Members of the NI Affairs Select Committee at Westminster attended an urgent meeting in Belfast today to discuss looming funding cuts that could result in over 400 job losses in the community and voluntary sector.

AI is reshaping work, but people remain the real advantage. This article explores how leaders can guide teams through disruption with clarity, soft skills and purposeful action, turning AI from a challenge into a meaningful opportunity. 

Open letter to Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government; Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; Michelle O’Neill MLA, First Minister and Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

The Department for the Economy has published its response to the consultation on statutory miscarriage leave and pay, confirming plans to introduce new legal rights for employees who experience pregnancy loss.

From 6 April 2026, women and their partners in Northern Ireland who experience a miscarriage or other pregnancy loss at any stage of pregnancy will be entitled to two weeks’ statutory leave and pay. These new rights will sit alongside the existing Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay framework.

Importantly, entitlement to miscarriage leave and pay will be a day-one right, meaning employees will not need a minimum length of service to qualify.

64% funding slash threatens 400 jobs, vital services, and the future of thousands – Government must act now.

NICVA Member Spotlight 

In Northern Ireland’s voluntary and community sector, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword - it can be a gamechanger. Two NICVA members, Mencap Northern Ireland and Caring Breaks, are working together in a way that could reshape how support is delivered to families caring for individuals with learning disabilities.

Good governance isn’t just a box to tick - it’s the foundation for trust, resilience, and impact. Our latest survey shows how our governance support is transforming organisations across Northern Ireland. 

NICVA, as Secretariat to the All-Party Group (APG) on the Voluntary and Community Sector, is pleased to confirm the meeting schedule for 2026.

NICVA is inviting nominations from across Northern Ireland’s voluntary and community sector to take part in a three‑day Civic Threads Knowledge Exchange Visit to Cardiff, taking place Wednesday 11 February – Friday 13 February 2026.

Head Injury Support (HIS) is an established charity based in Newry, providing vital, person-centred rehabilitation, wellbeing, respite, and long-term support for adults living with both traumatic and non-traumatic acquired brain injury (ABI), and their families.

NICVA has branded plans by the UK Government to slash funding for life changing community-based support programmes as “shameful”.

Heather Pope, the new Grants Officer for Ireland with Benefact Trust, gives an overview of the support available for churches and Christian organisations across the island of Ireland.

The Foundation’s long planned spend down and closure takes place in December 2025 by when it will have distributed over £185M in total to over 7,000 charities and state schools across the UK. 

We are pleased to announce that the Department for the Economy Skills Fund has fully funded a number of places for those working in The Voluntary and Community Sector on the Open University Level 6 Careers Guidance Qualification.

This is a blog from Justin Kerr, Head of the Department for the Economy’s (DfE) Careers Service, introducing the recently published Quality Assurance Guidelines for the Provision and Delivery of Career Guidance in Northern Ireland.  Justin also raises an upcoming opportunity for staff in the Voluntary and Community sector to complete a Level 6 Careers Guidance Qualification, funded through DfE’s Skills Fund. 

Many charities are exploring using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support their fundraising. As more adopt AI, The Fundraising Regulator (FR) has published new guidance on the use of AI in charitable fundraising.  This is a Blog from FR introducing the new AI guidance.

NICVA is pleased to announce the formation of our new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Stakeholder Group — an important step in strengthening our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. 

New look. Same mission. NICVA’s refreshed identity celebrates the energy, impact, and people at the heart of everything we do. Here’s why we’ve evolved – and what it means for our members and the wider sector