BELFAST-based community and voluntary organisations are invited to apply for grants to support projects aimed at ending violence against women and girls.
The Local Change Fund grants are administered by Belfast City Council, and are one of 11 local funds set up to support the Northern Ireland Executive’s Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG).
A launch event for the grants was attended by The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Roís-Máire Donnelly, who welcomed members of the community and voluntary sector to the room by saying,
“Is ábhar bróid é do Chomhairle Chathair Bhéal Feirste na deontais seo don Chiste Athraithe Áitiúil a thabhairt amach. Tá súil againn go mbeidh na deontais seo lárnach san fheachtas le stop a chur leis an fhoréigean in aghaidh na mban agus na gcailíní inár gcathair.
“Belfast City Council is proud to administer these local change fund grants, which we hope will play an important role in ending violence against women and girls in our city.
“This money helps community and voluntary sector organisations create effective programmes which engage whole groups of women, girls, boys and men to not only understand what this violence can look like, but give them the tools to recognise it, call it out and stop it.
“I am hopeful that the projects delivered through this fund will get people talking about EVAWG and will ultimately play a part in ending violence against women and girls living in Belfast.”
Grants are available for projects working to change the culture, behaviours and attitudes that are a breeding ground for violence against women and girls. Projects which specifically work with men and boys to raise awareness and understanding of the EVAWG strategy, promote positive masculinity and support men to become allies in EVAWG are particularly welcome.
An online information session about these grants will be held on Thursday 24 September 6.30-7.30pm. To attend please email cgugrants@belfastcity.gov.uk
This is the third year of BCC delivering EVAWG Local Change Fund grants. Previous years have seen successful projects change minds, raise awareness, and teach people all over the city about EVAWG and its insidious effect on our society. Projects have focused on working with sports teams, educating and learning through discussion, designing educational games, and creating EVAWG Ambassadors who can open conversations about violence and answer questions from their peers. Projects funded under this year’s scheme must be delivered by the end of March 2027.
More details on Belfast City Council’s actions to end violence against women and girls can be seen on the council website at belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence
Read the guidance notes on the grants and apply for your project by registering at belfastcity.gov.uk/funding
