Programmes

Access | Support | Capacity | Empowerment | Network | Development

NICVA's Centre for Economic Empowerment aims to help the sector become better informed about economic issues and take part more effectively in economic policy debates.

The Programme aims to support the development of community and voluntary sector capacity in The Mount and Ballymacarrett areas of East Belfast, while continuing to build stronger, more effective organisations who are better able to deliver positive change within their communities.

The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), along with a network of community partners from across Belfast, is delivering the Community Empowerment Programme (CEP), which is part of the Belfast PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan. This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

This city-wide initiative is all about empowering communities across Belfast to shape the future of their local areas, strengthen relationships, and build lasting change through collaboration and leadership. Over the next three years, this programme will support individuals, community groups, and local leaders with opportunities for accredited training, networking, cross-border learning, and community-led action planning.

Our aim is to develop the ability of the voluntary and community sector to use data effectively to create and enhance social, economic and environmental value.

NICVA partners with Interaction Institute, TIDES training and Youth Action to deliver the East Belfast Community Capacity & Leadership Programme, managed by the East Belfast Community Development Agency.

The Engaging and Retaining Talent Programme helps voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland strengthen their workforce through free HR training, resources, and tailored support.

This initiative is proudly funded by the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland.

“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” Desmond Tutu

iCommunity is where nonprofits in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland come together to learn from shared experiences. 

The Inspiring Impact NI Programme is a Northern Ireland wide initiative that aims to support voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and their funders to better understand and embrace impact practice.

The Big Lottery Fund Reaching Out: Connecting Older People (RO:COP) Development and Support Programme has been delivered by NICVA to all RO:COP grant holders since October 2011.

The new Regional Infrastructure Support Programme for Northern Ireland started on 1 October 2012.

NICVA partners with Politics Plus and Irish Rural Link to deliver The Next Chapter Project, which aims to help women make a difference.

The Transformative Leadership Programme (TLP) is a 10-module accredited leadership training programme funded by the Peace IV programme through Belfast City Council (BCC). 

Urban Villages are offering a series of training sessions delivered by NICVA in March to build community capacity in Finance and Organisational Governance.  This programme is now closed.