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NWCN E-bulletin: Community jobs, funding and opportunities

  • Apr 15
  • 10 min read

Welcome to the new edition of the NWCN E-bulletin, the best source of community jobs, funding and opportunities in the North West of Ireland.


In this edition
  1. Community Hope & Healing Reflective Day Pause. Reflect. Connect. Renew. 

"Making Hope Happen" is a partnership initiative with RESILIO and North West Community Network.  Our District of Hope Day this year will take place on Friday 24th April 2026. As always we are inviting groups to have local events in your own areas around the theme of ‘Community Hope and Healing’.  We want our communities to come together for Hope & Healing Reflective events — a space to slow down, reconnect with one another, and look forward with renewed hope.  We know that healing happens in connection — and hope grows when it is shared.  Hope & Healing events signal that our community cares, listens, and believes in a better future together. A collective renewal.  Given the recent darkness that has come over our community and the current challenges in our world, we all need to feel connected during these times.

Pause. Reflect. Connect. Renew.

We encourage you to organise your own event as part of the District of Hope initiative.  Here’s some ideas!

Create a space in workplaces or community spaces to pause even for 15 minute to reflect, connect with each other, share stories, support wellbeing, and look forward with hope.

💛 Tea and talk without technology 🎨 Creative activities sow sunflowers of HOPE 💬 Hope conversations 🌱 Nature & wellbeing moments 🤝 Connection across generations

We are setting up a District of HOPE Instagram page, we’ll let you know the details of that soon.  If you have an event in mind, please tag #districtofhope on your socials.

Thank you on behalf of RESILIO and NWCN - lets work together to bring hope and healing to our community.


  1. Dormant Assets for All

This funding is for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Northern Ireland.

It helps organisations to:

  • build skills and capacity

  • be more resilient

  • prepare for future challenges


We fund projects that strengthen your organisation.  This might include improving:

  • confidence and skills in digital technology

  • how you track and measure your impact

  • financial management

  • governance and leadership

  • volunteer recruitment and management

We’ll only fund work that makes your organisation stronger

We do not fund the delivery of activities in your community. For example, we cannot fund expanding an existing service into new areas.

You can apply for between £300 and £20,000 to run projects that last up to 2 years.

Further information available here


  1. Peace Plus Change Maker programme

Change Maker Fund - The following calls are now open

This strand facilitates grassroots-level peacebuilding by providing small grants to civic and community organisations. It enables a bottom-up approach, empowering people and organisations to directly contribute to peace and reconciliation within their communities.

Funded projects will work on shared challenges and must work on a cross-community basis. 

This strand facilitates grassroots-level peacebuilding by providing small grants to local community organisations. It enables a bottom-up approach, empowering people and organisations to directly contribute to peace and reconciliation within their communities.

Funded projects will make a strong contribution to the social and civic cohesion of cross-border region and must work on a cross-border basis. 

The closing date for both calls is on Tuesday 30th June 2026 at 5pm.


  1. The Openreach Community Fund is now open

We are pleased to share that The Openreach Community Fund is now open, supporting small, grassroots community projects working with young people, older people, or people with disabilities.

Examples of types of projects that may be supported

  • Creative arts and wellbeing programmes for young people, including workshops in music, drama, pottery or other arts activities

  • Programmes supporting the mental health, confidence and resilience of children and young people through group learning or personal development activities

  • Social activities and community clubs for older people aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation

  • Inclusive activities and programmes for people with disabilities that support participation, creativity and social interaction

Closing Date: May 14, 2026 13:00

Please visit our website to find out more about the fund and apply.


  1. ASDA's Local Community Spaces Fund

We know accessible community spaces can be a lifeline for local people, and many of these spaces require funding to repair, renovate and develop them so that they can continue delivering vital activities and services. In addition, loneliness and isolation continue to be highlighted through our Community Insight Survey as top areas of concern for local communities throughout the UK.

Through our Local Community Spaces Fund, we will continue playing our part in helping to fund safe and welcoming community spaces that bring people together, connect communities and address loneliness and isolation.Grants of £10,000 to £20,000

For a full PDF version of the Local Community Spaces Fund Criteria, please click here.

Applications close on 28th April

Further information available here


  1. Tesco Stronger Starts

Tesco Stronger Starts is open to all schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations that support children and young people to apply for a grant of up to £1,500. Every three months, three local good causes are selected to be in the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK.

Applications are open to all local good causes that support children and young people, with a particular focus on projects that incorporate a food component, such a breakfast clubs, providing holiday club lunches or healthy snacks.

Further information available here


  1. SPAR Community Cashback Grant scheme

Help your local community grow and apply for a SPAR Community Cashback grant today.

Funding is available for community groups and clubs, with funding available for both new and ongoing projects. The application process is quick and straightforward, simply complete the form here and tell us about the exceptional contribution the organisation makes in your neighbourhood.

Applications close on 13th May 2026.


  1. Community Care Fund

Win £3,000 for your local project

We’re supporting community projects across the UK that bring people together and make a positive difference.

Three winning projects will receive a £3,000 grant each.

To nominate a local project, simply complete the form below. Enter now

Deadline for all entries is 23:59 on 31st May 2026


  1. NIPSO is seeking views from the voluntary and community sector

The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman has launched a short survey on awareness and experience of its work.

If your organisation supports people dealing with public services, your input can help shape how NIPSO engages with the sector and improves complaints handling. Takes 5–7 minutes


  1. LEADER Taster Session

LEADER is a free 6-week accredited Creative Guided Facilitation Training project designed to empower women by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to become effective facilitators and community leaders.  The project will provide participants with both the understanding and experience to lead guided reading sessions as part of Verbal’s peacebuilding and community engagement initiatives.

The creative writing element of the project will allow participants to tell their stories, giving both communities the opportunity to learn about each other's traditions, values and belief systems. This will not only foster mutual respect but will also challenge prejudices and stereotypes.

Project launch: 16th April in Leafair Community Association 9.30am - 12.30pm.


  1. LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training with The Rainbow Project

This project will be providing fully funded LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training in 2 pathways:

  • A standalone 3-hour workshop.

  • A 5-week CPD UK accredited course.

This is a PEACEPLUS funded project available to any adults who live in the Derry City & Strabane district area as well as those in bordering locations i.e. Donegal, Omagh, Limavady/Causeway etc. and courses will be running until the end of Summer 2026. Our next 5-week courses are scheduled to start one on 6th May and another on 26th May with some spaces still available in each.

We are very proud that our training explores LGBTQIA+ identities through an intersectional lens where we acknowledge that LGBTQIA+ people exist in all communities with unique and diverse experiences reflective of their entire self and therefore we aim to provide a unique experience in understanding LGBTQIA+ identities tailor-made for the North-West that you won’t get elsewhere.

If you, your staff, volunteers or any person in the community would benefit from the LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training project please feel free to complete the expression of interest form online or get in touch with us at training@rainbow-project.org.

Please find attached a flyer for this project, an FAQ document on the project and a booklet breaking down our training services.

If you would be interested in discussing any of our other training services outside this project, please feel free to get in touch via training@rainbow-project.org


  1. Think Outside the Box

Supporting Children's Emotional Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 29,  9:30 AM - 3 PM Lough Neagh Discovery Centre Tea/coffee on arrival and lunch will be provided

Join us for a FREE supportive, informative event exploring children's emotional health and wellbeing and a range of therapies available to support emotional wellbeing.

Register your place here


  1. Parental choice and preference of schools survey

Freelance journalist, Kathryn Torney, is working on a research project for the Integrated Education Fund on parental choice and preference of schools.

The project includes a parent survey and I'm keen to include a broad range of views and school experiences. No respondents will be named in my report.


  1. Invitation: Launch of County Tyrone Poll on Schools, Education and Housing

Please join us on Wednesday 29 April at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh for the launch of a County Tyrone poll exploring local views on schools, education, and housing.

Hosted by the Housing Executive's (NIHE) Housing for All team and the Integrated Education Fund (IEF), the event will provide an opportunity to get an overview of the recently completed poll by polling company LucidTalk, to discuss the results and ask any questions.

Information will also be shared on Integrated Education and Shared Housing and the IEF and NIHE will be happy to discuss and answer questions. 

While this event is free, places are limited and we recommend that you register early to reserve your place. This also helps us make hospitality and practical arrangements.  Registration and refreshments will be available from 10.30am and the event will start at 11am. We will finish with a light lunch and networking.

To ensure you have the best experience, please inform us of any accessibility needs you may have. Please also let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.

For more information, please contact: jessica@ief.org.uk | 028 9069 4099


  1. Latest Offers from Salto Youth

Please see attached document for the latest offers from Salto Youth, including:

  • The Inner Voice

  • Training Course for Strengthening Competences through Mental Wellbeing

  • Youth@Work Seminar - Sport & Entrepreneurship

  • Need for NEET: Online speed dating

  • Keep it real! 2026


  1. Volunteering in Derry Strabane - Spring Summer 2026

Please find attached our latest Volunteering Ezine - for any queries or if you which to feature in our Website / promotional platforms please get in touch with Marirose: Email: Strabane@volunteeringnorthwest.co.uk, 02871271017 text/WhatsApp 07716291964


  1. Job Opportunity with NW Migrant's Forum

Exciting news — We are growing our team and looking for talented individuals to join us! We currently have two open positions available:

  • Finance Officer

  • Programmes Administrator 

Do you want to be part of a dynamic team working to support and empower racialised and minoritised communities? Then we’d love to hear from you. 

What We’re Looking For:

  • Passion for equality, diversity and inclusion

  • Strong organisational skills

  • Experience in working with a charity organisation (desirable) 

Why Join Us?

  • Meaningful work that makes a difference

  • Supportive and inclusive team environment

  • Competitive salary and annual leave

These are full-time roles and you will be based out of our offices in The Embassy Building right in the heart of Derry city centre.

If you feel either of these positions might be for you, you will find all the information you need to apply by clicking on the button below.


  1. Public Appointment Vacancy

Recruitment exercise to launch for two Non-Executive members to the Board of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company.

This is an important role, and candidates should be prepared to bring experience and judgement to bear on issues of strategy, inclusion, governance and performance and be prepared to constructively challenge and assist executive management in the development of strategic objectives and policies.

The current remuneration is approximately £13,848 per annum based on anticipated attendance of 2 business days per month. The Members will be expected to attend Board meetings, subcommittee meetings and other ad hoc meetings as required. Remuneration for Non-Executive Members who Chair a subcommittee will be £15,381.

Visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/public-appointment-vacancies  or DfI public appointments | Department for Infrastructure under Current Opportunities or alternatively contact the DfI Public Appointments Unit to apply.

Closing Date: Thursday 30 April 2026 at 12 noon


  1. ITV Studios - Childhood Sweethearts

Are you & your partner childhood sweethearts? Are you ready to test your relationship?

ITV studios are looking for childhood sweethearts aged 21+ for a new TV series.  This potentially life changing social experiment will give you the opportunity to rediscover who you are, reignite what brought you together and prove that absence really can make the heart grow fonder.  Couples must have children over 16 or be child free.

if you and your partner are up for a once in a lifetime opportunity, then please get in touch now!

Test/WhatsApp/Email 079 1965 9572 casting@potatotv.co.uk

ITV’s privacy notice: http://itv.com/studiosprivacy


Submit an article - Email info@nwcn.org. Please note that the e-bulletin goes out once per week on a Wednesday, please have your article for inclusion with NWCN by Tuesday afternoon 

When submitting an article for inclusion in this E-Bulletin, please conform to the following guidelines:

  • As far as possible, do not use images - information is best received when it is concise and straightforward.

  • Include reliable contact information: named contact, organisation, telephone number, email address &, where appropriate, web address.

  • Please check that all details are correct when submitting as we will presume they are.

The information in this E-Bulletin has been collated from a range of sources. NWCN does not however accept responsibility for any third party content or for any of the opinions expressed.

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