NWCN E-bulletin: 17 September 2025
- Sep 17
- 10 min read
Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2025/2026
The RMCGS is funded from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme. The key aim of the TRPSI Programme is to assist in tackling poverty and social isolation within rural communities across Northern Ireland.
The Scheme is open for applications from Monday 15 September 2025 until 12 midday on 20 October 2025.
The Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2025/2026 has been designed to:
Help rural community-led, voluntary organisations to address local issues of access poverty, financial poverty, and social isolation;
Improve the lives of those in rural communities, and in particular the wellbeing of isolated individuals; and,
Provide an opportunity to implement energy efficiency measures / environmental improvements.
For further details please contact your local Rural Support Network: Rural Support Network contact details
Further information available here
Cash4Clubs
Cash4Clubs is a small grants scheme for community sports clubs and organisations giving them a chance to apply for grants to improve facilities, purchase new equipment, gain coaching qualifications, or invest in the sustainability of their club.
The 2025 programme is focused on supporting adult participation in sport. Funding is available to groups that support over 18s only. However, Cash4Clubs aims to get vital funds to clubs that need it most and as such, prioritises groups working in areas of high deprivation and engaging adults from specific under-represented groups. These groups include women, people from racially-diverse communities, people with disabilities and people from the LGBTQ+ community.
Small grants of £2000 (€2000 in Ireland) are available this autumn to support clubs and organisations that help keep adults engaged in sport, particularly in areas of need.
Closing date: Monday 8th December 2025
Further information available here
The Linnean Society: Our Local Nature Grant Scheme
The Our Local Nature Grant scheme is designed to provide young people with an opportunity to take the lead on projects that involve their local nature and natural spaces, to aid young people in realising their influence to affect positive change, to have their voices heard, and see their ideas come to life.
Adult applicants should develop their proposal alongside young people and the projects should seek to empower local young people to enact changes they want to see, such as increasing access to natural spaces and improving understanding of their local biodiversity.
The maximum award is £1,000 per proposal.
Please make sure you submit your application by midnight on 25 October 2025.
Further information available here
Community Garden Grants
The National Garden Scheme gives grants to help community gardening projects.
We are committed to sustainability in gardening so it is important that your proposal demonstrates that you will be using sustainable gardening methods.
The following is an illustrative, but not exhaustive, list of items that may be eligible for funding:
Plants and containers
Materials for flower or vegetable beds and other hard landscaping
Greenhouses, polytunnels and sheds
Seating
Hand tools and certain garden power tools (eg strimmers)
Materials for providing refreshments
Open until 12 noon on 20th October 2025.
Further information available here
The Ideas Fund: The role of the broker Learning Session
We’re delighted to publish a new insights report on the role “brokers” play in supporting good community-researcher partnerships.
We found that Development Coordinators brought significant value to individuals, groups and communities, as well as the wider programme.
We will be holding an open learning session on 1 October 2025, 12.30-2pm to share more about the important role that “brokers” play. We’ll be in discussion with Roisin McLaughlin, our Ideas Fund "broker” in Northern Ireland, and Laura Steen from the University of Bath.
Register here
Further information available here
Windsor Framework Article 2 – Online Training
23 September, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Online via Zoom
We are delighted to announce that following the conclusion of a successful series of training events looking at Article 2 of the Windsor Framework that the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund has awarded us a follow up grant to continue this training and to support our members and wider civil society to understand and utilise Article 2 in defending human rights across our community. To start this project we are offering an introductory online training session on Article 2 next week.
The session will help participants:
Learn the basic legal aspects of Article 2
Gain understanding of how Article 2 has been utilised to date
Explore the possible future uses of Article two in advocacy and litigation
Discuss how this legislation might impact/aid your work
If you work in a civil society organisation in NI or have an interest in human rights protections this training will provide a great introduction to Article 2 and allow you to start considering how this legislation can assist in your own work or sector.
We are delighted that Professor Colin Murray from Newcastle University is delivering this training for the Consortium.
This session is completely free and open to all. No prior knowledge is required.
Click here to register: https://forms.office.com/e/B5ENs8UfS2
Launch of North West Anti-Racism Charter
Tuesday October 7, 11am - 1pm, Guildhall, Main Hall
The North West Anti-Racism Charter was developed through a series of meetings and community consultation workshops convened by the Bloody Sunday Trust, the North West Migrants Forum and the Irish Network Against Racism, with the final version authored by Dave Duggan.
The Charter is a statement of intent, providing a way for businesses, organisations, community groups, schools and individuals to push back against the rise of racist messaging and actions.
The Charter has already been adopted by 22 organisations, schools and community groups across the region.
To secure your place at the launch, please RSVP to constance@bloodysundaytrust.org
Black History Summit 2025
Join NW Migrants Forum for the Black History Month Summit on 24 October 2025, 2:00–6:00 PM at Magee Campus, Ulster University.
The summit will feature talks, a keynote address, panel discussions, and cultural performances, celebrating the theme “Standing in Firm Power and Pride”.
Please complete this short form to confirm your place
Know Your Rights to Protest
The Bloody Sunday Trust and Museum of Free Derry would like to extend an invitation to the upcoming event:
Know Your Rights to Protest
Museum of Free Derry, 55 Glenfada Park
Tuesday September 23, 5:30PM
Launch of Know Your Rights Guide to Protest:
A number of organisations - the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ), Public Interest Litigation Support (PILS), Environmental Justice Network Ireland (EJNI) and Friends of the Earth NI (FOENI) - came together with lawyers to produce a Know Your Rights Guide to Protest, which can be found here.
At the event attendees will hear from the authors of the guide about the format and rationale for it, and from local activists from Alliance for Choice on their experiences of protest.There will be an opportunity to provide feedback on the guide and suggestions for subsequent 'Know Your Rights' training. Printed copies of the guide will also be available.
This event is being held in partnership with Alliance for Choice and Bloody Sunday Trust. For further information and to register, please see here.
October brings month-long celebration of older community
The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, officially launched Positive Ageing Month 2025, a celebration recognising the invaluable role that older people play within our communities.
The campaign coincides with International Day of Older Persons on 1st October, which this year is themed ‘Building Belonging: Celebrating the Power of our Social Connections’.
Throughout October, a wide-ranging programme of events and activities will take place across the City and District, encouraging older people to get involved, try something new, and connect with others. The initiative is part of Council’s Age Friendly Programme, which prioritises the inclusion of older people by ensuring access to services, increasing participation, and creating an enjoyable and supportive environment in which to live and grow older.
The programme reflects strong partnership working with stakeholders across the statutory, community, and voluntary sectors, including the Western Health and Social Care Trust and the Public Health Agency, both of which play a central role in supporting older people.
The full Positive Ageing Month brochure is now available in community centres, libraries, and council facilities across the district, as well as online at: www.derrystrabane.com/community/age-friendly/positive-ageing-month
Strabane Ethnic Community Association's Multi Cultural Night
Multi-Cultural Food, Music & Entertainment Night on Saturday 20th September in St. Patrick’s Hall, Strabane.
What to Expect:
A vibrant evening celebrating the rich cultural diversity of our community, with delicious food from around the world, live music, and entertainment representing different cultures and traditions.
Doors Open: 6.45pm Food Served: 7.00pm Venue: St Patrick’s Hall, Strabane RSVP: to Kamini or Jennifer by phone on 028 7188 6419 or email kaminiseca@gmail.com / jennifercfboyle@gmail.com
This event is free and open to everyone – so bring friends, family, and neighbours! It’s a chance to connect, celebrate, and experience the many cultures that make our community so special.
The HeART of Gaza Exhibition
Join us at Eden Place Arts Centre on Culture Night, Friday 19th September 2025 @ 6pm for the launch of The HeART of Gaza.
The HeART of Gaza is an exhibition of children's art from Gaza: giving the most voiceless, most vulnerable and most impacted by the genocide a platform to communicate their experience with the world.
We will be running a family workshop also on Culture Night from 6.30-8.30pm.
Contact Judi: info@edenplaceartscentre.com to book your place on the workshop. (this workshop is suitable for families with children aged 8+)
Eden Place Arts Centre is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through Lottery Funding.
Eden Place Arts Centre, Pilots Row Centre, Rossville Street, Derry. BT48 6LPTel: 07902172080
Lantern Making Workshop
Thursday, 9 October, 7 - 9pm Christ Church, Strabane
Join The Churches Trust for a magical lantern-making workshop where families can craft beautiful, glowing lanterns using willow branches! In this hands-on session, you'll learn how to bend and weave the willow into intricate shapes, then light them up with LED candles to create a warm, enchanting glow. Perfect for all ages, this workshop encourages creativity, teamwork, and a little bit of holiday spirit as you make your very own lantern to take home.
A short introduction about Cecil Frances Alexander and her love of family, children and the environment before we create these beautiful lanterns, a fun and memorable activity for the whole family!
Please then join us for our 'All Souls lantern walk' on November 1st from 5pm - 8pm.
This walk celebrates the many places of faith near the town centre in Strabane and at each stop we will learn a little about the history of the site followed by a short activity like making paper hearts. Refreshments will be served at the end of our walk.
Register here
This is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and Derry City & Strabane District Council.
Invitation to Pollanroe Burn
You are invited to the launch of Pollanroe Burn, Emily McFarland Saturday 27th September, 6 to 8pm, Void Art Centre Everyone is welcome and BYOB is encouraged.
Pollanroe Burn or An Pollán Rua - the little red pool - unfolds through a series of new films and archival fragments, forming part of Emily’s ongoing long-term research into the shifting ecology of the Sperrin Mountains of West Tyrone, in the North of Ireland, in the shadow of proposed major industrial-scale gold extraction.
Upcoming event
Counter-mapping the river with Emily McFarland and V’cenza Cirefice
Sunday 19 October 2025, from 2-4pm Meeting at Void Art Centre before walking outside
For further information and to register click here
Could you ‘Host for Hospice’
October is officially Foyle Hospice ‘Coffee Morning Month’. We are calling on supporters to help us raise vital funds by hosting a Coffee Morning. Whether it’s at home, work or in your local community, get your friends together and get the kettle on, it’s a piece of cake!!
To request your FREE host pack or for more info, please call Ailbhe McDaid, Community Fundraiser on 028 71359888 or email: ailbhe@foylehospice.com
Latest Offers from Salto Youth
Please see attached document for the latest offers from Salto Youth, including:
Empowering youth through hiking
Training Course - How to support youth leaders?
Intersectionality in Action
The Trainer’s Backpack: Tools, Values & Competences
Call for trainers
Job Opportunity with Londonderry YMCA
Full-Time Centre-Based Youth Worker for Drumahoe Youth Programme, Londonderry YMCA. Ref number: CBWYS0925 Based at Londonderry YMCA, 51 Glenshane Road, Drumahoe, BT47 3SF
Salary Scale: £29,395- £32.825 pa + 5% employer pension contribution Duration: full-time position until March 2026 with possible extension pending funding Hours: The successful applicant will be required to work a total of 36 hours per week (10 flexible sessions which include evenings)
Essential Criteria Candidates can demonstrate their experience by one of the two available options as at the closing date: Have completed, or working towards completion of a relevant degree, Youth Work, Community Work, Education, Social Work, or can demonstrate an equivalent qualification. Have at least 3 years of experience in leading projects in the Youth and/or Community Work sector and an OCN Level 3 certificate in Youth Work practice or equivalent, and are committed to working towards the Level 4 Community Youth Studies Certificate
Desirable Criteria Experience in the design and delivery of Youth Work development programmes Experience in managing Youth Workers in a Youth Centre or Youth Project.
Closing Date: 5.00 pm, Wednesday, 24th September 2025.
If interested in this position, please complete the Google Form link within the candidate application Pack. Please note that applications must be submitted through the Google form. Applications received in any other format will not be accepted.
Candidate Application pack may be requested from Catriona at recruitment.lderry@ymca-ireland.net
Join the Developing Healthy Communities board
Looking for a new challenge? Developing Healthy Communities is recruiting a Trustee to sit on its board, preferably with expertise or experience in the following areas:
Statutory/Community Health
Environment/Climate/Sustainability
Funding and Income Generation/Business Development
Legal
IT
Comms and Marketing
Business Development
Trustees carry out their governance role throughout the year by meeting on a quarterly basis to review the performance of DHC and to make decisions regarding the charity's financial and operational matters.
Trustees also meet on an ad-hoc basis between quarterly meetings to perform their role on essential governance matters.
Apply by CV to Edel@DHCNI.com by 1 October 2025.
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