Insight and latest updates from our team

We’re inviting NICVA members to help shape the future of our work by nominating candidates to join our Executive Committee. 

NICVA has received funding from the UK Government’s Connect Fund to launch Civic Threads – a new project that will help community and voluntary organisations across the UK work more closely together, share ideas, and strengthen their influence on policies that affect local people.

Instead of opening for new applications, the Foundation will give out the same amount of funding through renewing existing grants and reconsidering applications received over the past year.

For over 25 years Community Restorative Justice Ireland Newry/Armagh has built a track record in community-based interventions, drawing from real-life experiences of positive transformation. They recently launched their Breaking the Cycle: Restorative Pathways for Women which received backing from Community Foundation Northern Ireland through their Thriving Futures Fund, enabling the three-year programme to move forward.

Pictured: Mercedes Hunt, Project Coordinator for CRJI Newry/Armagh with Ewan Morgan, CRJI Newry/Armagh

Belfast-based design agency The Foundation has announced the launch of The Foundation Fund, offering 25 days of professional creative support to charities, community projects, social enterprises, and third-sector initiatives across Northern Ireland.

The Department for Communities held a public consultation seeking views on proposed changes to section 167 of the Charities Act (NI) 2008.    The Closing date for responses was 1 October.  Public consultation on section 167 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 | Department for Communities

NICVA has submitted its response to the Department for Communities’ recent public consultation on the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland calling for a fundamental  revision of the current draft. NICVA is deeply concerned that the draft strategy fails to meet its statutory obligations and lacks the ambition, clarity, and accountability needed to deliver real change.

Last week members of the All-Party Group on the Voluntary and Community Sector gathered in the Senate Chamber of Parliament Buildings for its latest meeting, with the DAERA Minister , Andrew Muir, MLA attending.

October marks Cyber Awareness Month 2025, with this year’s theme “Secure Our World”. The focus is on practical, everyday steps we can all take to stay safe online, whether as individuals, organisations, or communities.

The Northern Ireland Assembly Finance Committee has launched its report on the provision of banking services in Northern Ireland, following a detailed inquiry and call for evidence. The report was formally launched this week at an event in Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is consulting on its new strategic agenda for 2026-2029.  NICVA has submitted it's response which you can see attached.  The deadline for submitting responses is 26 September 2025.

Rosa’s bold new three-year strategy, Creating lasting change for women and girls, aims to help them continue their mission to fund and champion the UK’s women and girls sector.

BBC Children in Need have announced the launch of Communities for Children – the £15 million funding programme dedicated to tackling child poverty in the UK. 
 

‘Time running out for local voluntary and community sector’ as NICVA launches #NICan’tWait campaign.

The £1million capital investment will modernise facilities at local clubs and community groups as part of a lasting legacy in honour of our athletes at the Paris Olympics.

At NICVA, engaging with our 1,500 members is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we launched Insight Exchanges – a new way to bring members together to connect, share experiences, and have honest conversations about the issues that matter most to our sector.

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA has announced that a new £1.8million Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) will open for applications on Monday 15 September 2025.

NICVA has established a set of policy and influencing priorities that will shape how we support, represent, and advocate for the voluntary and community sector (VCS) over the coming years.

Charities and community organisations across Northern Ireland are warning that nearly 24,000 people could be left without vital support unless urgent action is taken on future funding from the UK Government.

Sian Mulholland MLA’s private member’s bill, The Lotteries for Communities Bill was launched for consultation on 9 May 2025.  NICVA submitted it's response on the initial closing date of 31 July.  The closing date has been extended to Fri 5 September 2025.