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A statement in response to reports of violence and disorder aimed at minority ethnic communities across Northern Ireland

Today’s UK Government–backed interim report on  Young people and Work, led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, warns that more than one million young people are already not in education, employment or training (NEET). It highlights the scale of the crisis, estimating a cost to the economy of £125 billion, while the long-term damage to the life chances of young people is almost incalculable.

His warning of a potential “lost generation” could not be more relevant to Northern Ireland, where recent cuts following the introduction of the Local Growth Fund are actively dismantling youth employability services delivered by the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector- stripping away support at the very moment it is needed most.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has published their consultation on the proposed three‑year Investment Plan for the new Local Growth Fund (LGF) in Northern Ireland, setting out priorities for investment from 2026 to 2029.

The consultation is open for seven weeks, closing at 5.00pm on 26 June 2026.

The Joint Government and Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Forum met on 23 March 2026 at NICVA for its first meeting of 2026. Chaired by Joint Forum Public Sector Chair Ray Caldwell (Department for Communities), the meeting brought together representatives from across government and the VCS. 

A busy agenda focused on implementation of the Partnership Agreement between the Northern Ireland Government and the Voluntary & Community Sector in practice, what can be learned from experience across the UK and how progress can be maintained in this increasingly difficult financial climate.

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NICVA has announced the return of its flagship NICVA Summit, taking place on 10 June at ICC Belfast amid growing pressures on voluntary organisations. 

The event will bring together hundreds of leaders, practitioners and decision makers from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, alongside partners from government and the business sector. 

The Department for Communities launched a public consultation on 27 March 2026 to seek comments on its proposed amendments to the Charities Act.    Please see the following link to the full consultation which closes on 24 April 2026. 

Consultation on a Bill to amend the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 | Department for Communities

The Department for Communities has opened a public consultation on a draft Bill to amend certain sections of the 2008 Charities Act.  Consultation period 27 March to  24 April 2026

Consultation on a Bill to amend the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 | Department for Communities

We have now reached 1 April with no resolution to the funding crisis caused by a 64% cut to funding for community‑led employability support services under the UK Government’s new Local Growth Fund. These cuts take effect today- yet we have seen no meaningful action from our political leaders, and our sector now faces the consequences alone.

As we reach 1 April with no resolution to the funding crisis created by a 64% cut to community‑led employability support services under the UK Government’s new Local Growth Fund, which takes effect today - we have seen no meaningful action from our political leaders and our sector now faces the consequences of its fallout alone.

As the sector confronts the stark realities of an impending funding cliff edge, NICVA views  today’s statement from the Executive Office regarding the Local Growth Fund  with deep disappointment, anger, and dismay on behalf of our sector and the thousands of people it supports every day.

The lack of urgency or action shown by our local political leaders on behalf of vital services that provide opportunity, hope and inclusion for some of the most marginalised across our communities- is both unacceptable and deeply damaging.

Voluntary and community sector organisations across Northern Ireland are warning of an imminent crisis, as a 64% cut to vital community-based services under the new Local Growth Fund (LGF) is set to take effect within 48 hours.

NICVA welcomes the publication of yesterdays Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) report on Economic Growth in NI , which delivers a clear and urgent warning: the UK Government is “still not listening to the warnings” from the voluntary and community sector about the devastating impact of a 64% cut to VCS‑led employability support services as a result of the introduction of the Local Growth Fund from next week Wednesday 1 April.

The UK Government’s announcement of a major new youth employment drive stands in stark contrast to the reality facing people in Northern Ireland. A 64 % cut to funding for employability support programmes following the introduction of the Local Growth Fund from 1 April, will result in drastic programme cuts. While new initiatives unveiled today promise expanded apprenticeships, employer incentives and a strengthened Youth Guarantee in England, Northern Ireland is experiencing the opposite trajectory.

The All-Party Group (APG) on the Voluntary and Community Sector met on Tuesday 10 March in the Senate Room at Parliament Buildings, bringing together MLAs and sector representatives at a critical time for voluntary and community sector organisations and those they support  across Northern Ireland. 

The session, chaired by Diane Forsythe, MLA and supported by NICVA as Secretariat, focused on the escalating pressures facing the sector and the urgent need for action from government.

NICVA has submitted its response to the Department of Finance consultation on the Draft Budget 2026–2029/30, which closed on 3 March 2026.

NICVA is currently inviting tenders for specialist support to the Government and Voluntary Sector Joint Forum, funded by the Department for Communities.

These tenders were previously advertised but have now been updated to reflect revised key deliverables and an extended timeline.

Interested service providers are invited to submit a proposal for one or both opportunities.

The Department for Communities has published its response to the consultation on Section 167 of the Charities Act (NI) 2008 in Autumn of last year.  The consultation report has concluded that Section 167 should be repealed rather than commenced Department for Communities Section 167 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008

NICVA is asking all charities and other voluntary led organisations in N.Ireland to take part in the latest UK-wide Banking Survey which is designed to hear about organisations' experiences with their bank accounts.