Insight and latest updates from our team

On Friday 5 December 2025, the NICVA community gathered for our Annual General Meeting, bringing together members, trustees, staff and partners from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. The AGM offered an important moment to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past year, and to look ahead with purpose and ambition.

We highlight how NICVA can support your digital capacity and capability and potential funding. 

A blog from Aaron Johnson, ICO Lead Policy Officer 

Struggling with data protection? Our research has shown you’re not alone. Our new Data Protection Fundamentals series is here to make compliance simple, practical and affordable. We’re delighted to undertake this project partnership with NICVA to help the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland with its data protection awareness and confidence.

This month, we are delighted to shine a spotlight on Specially Connected, a dedicated organisation working to create a more inclusive and understanding society for children with additional learning needs and their families. Their compassionate, hands-on approach is making a real difference to families across Northern Ireland — from personalised home visits to inclusive community events and specialised training.

In this Spotlight, Specially Connected share their story, their impact, and how NICVA membership supports their development.

NICVA is delighted to offer this series of free Digital Fundraising Labs in partnership with Enthuse, Europe’s number one charity first fundraising platform. Each session is designed to guide, inspire, energise, and empower your online fundraising approach.

Funding February returns for 2026. A month-long focus on funding and fundraising for voluntary and community organisations across Northern Ireland. This year we shine a light on digital, online and tech-related matters and end the month with our annual Funding Fayre.

NICVA is pleased to today launch a new report : “Voluntary and Community Sector-led Approaches to Economic Inactivity” from Pivotal Public Policy Forum Northern Ireland’s independent public policy think tank.

Commissioned by NICVA, this timely and insightful report supports the work of NICVAs Economic Inactivity Coalition—a network of voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations delivering vital, community-led support to those furthest from the labour market and our current  #NICantWait Campaign calling for urgent clarity and decision making on the future of Local Growth Fund delivery in NI.

Finance Minister John O’Dowd has announced updated guidelines to simplify arrangements for grant recipients.

We are moving into Phase Two of NICVA’s Engaging and Retaining Talent Programme, continuing our work to help voluntary and community organisations across Northern Ireland build stronger, more confident workforces. With continued support from the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland, this next phase keeps the practical focus that worked in Phase One while opening access to more organisations across the sector.

NICVA CEO Celine Mc Stravick and members of NICVAs Economic Inactivity Coalition recently gave evidence at Westminster to the Chair and members of the NI Affairs Committee on the continued uncertainty regarding introduction of the UK Government’s new Local Growth Fund and the damaging impact this is having on voluntary and community sector organisations and services in Northern Ireland.

Jocelyn Horton, Fundraising Advice Officer, rounds up some of the key news you may have missed in October.

The new Charities Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (‘the Charities SORP’) was published on Friday 31 October 2025.   The Charities SORP and SORP 2026 will apply to accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2026. 

On Thursday 23 October, representatives from across government and the voluntary and community sector gathered at NICVA for the third meeting of the year of the Government and Voluntary Sector Joint Forum.

Chaired by Joint Forum VCS Chair Karen Smith (Disability Action), the agenda reflected a shared commitment to strengthening partnership, transparency, and progress in our work as a Joint Forum.

Seventeen learners from across Belfast are taking part in NICVA’s first OCN Level 2 Award in Community Development, a free, accredited course designed to strengthen local leadership and collaboration as part of the Community Empowerment Programme (CEP). 

During September and October 2025, NICVA’s (Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action) policy and public-affairs activity was dominated by the funding uncertainty surrounding the replacement for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and its implications for economic inactivity, poverty, and the stability of the voluntary and community sector.   

This month, we’re proud to feature HERe NI, a trailblazing organisation working to support, empower and advocate for LGBTQIA+ women and their families across Northern Ireland. Their goal is clear: to create a society where everyone can live free from discrimination, feel valued, and have equal access to safety, wellbeing, and opportunity.

Charities, politicians, and community organisations across Northern Ireland are urgently ringing the alarm bell as the future of vital services hangs in the balance. 

Trustees' Week is a time for us to celebrate the great effort and achievements of Trustees. Our month-long calendar of events and promotion of practical resources is in recognition that Trustees need support and guidance in carrying out their role.

The JobStart Scheme provides funding from the Department for Communities to allow employers to create new job opportunities to help those who are currently unemployed or economically inactive, in receipt of working age benefits and wish to enter or re-enter the workplace.

On 7 October, participants from NICVA’s ASCEND Programme gathered at NICVA for the first of four Year One learning events - an evening focused on connection, peer learning, and building skills in fundraising.