NWCN E-bulletin: Community jobs, funding and opportunities
- 21 hours ago
- 12 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
You're invited to our new home!
It’s a new chapter for NWCN at St Columb’s Hall
Friday 8th May 2026, 10:30am, St Columb's Hall
We’ve just settled in to our new home in the beautiful, historic St Columb’s Hall, and we would love for you join us for a housewarming coffee morning.
Hear about what’s next for North West Community Network, meet our team, and take in the atmosphere of this architectural treasure.
RSVP: Kevin@nwcn.org
NIO Launches Engagement for Change Fund
The Northern Ireland Office has launched the Engagement for Change Fund. This is a three-year, £100,000 initiative designed to significantly bolster the capacity of the community and voluntary sector across Northern Ireland.
The Fund directly supports the sector’s vital role by providing targeted leadership and advocacy development, enabling organisations to more effectively champion their crucial work and the communities they serve.
The total £100,000 funding will be allocated to a single delivery organisation over the three-year period.
To apply, you must submit an application form, budget/delivery plan template and organisation accounts to community.projects@nio.gov.uk by 5pm Friday 22 May 2026.
Further information available here
Community Relations / Cultural Diversity
Key Principles of the Community Relations/Cultural Diversity (CR/CD) Funding Scheme
The work MUST be intentional.
Your programme must have a clear good relations purpose from the outset with deliberate and planned activities which directly address sectarianism and/or racism (the two main aims of the CRCD grant scheme). If your project does not include a learning element then it will not be considered a priority and will most likely be rejected.
It must address an identified good relations need.
All applications must be able to clearly demonstrate the good relations need they want to address and how they have identified this need.
Closing date: Friday 15/01/2027 at 4 PM.
Further information available here
Randal Foundation Small Grant Programme
The Randal Foundation is committed to supporting innovative projects and initiatives that drive positive, life saving and life-transforming change in communities in the UK and around the world. We welcome applications from organisations and individuals who align with our mission and values.
The Board of Trustees are pleased to invite enquiries for consideration for funding meeting the following criteria:
Does your organisation directly save or significantly improve lives
Are you a UK registered organisation, operating in the UK (i.e. saving lives in the UK)?
Is your annual turnover between £50,000 and £500,000?
Have you been established for three or more years?
We will only consider enquiries from those organisations that can strongly evidence their project will save and/ or significantly improve lives as a direct outcome of the funded intervention.
Our enquiry process will remain open until Trustees determine sufficient enquiries have been received. The enquiry window may be closed at any time and may be closed without further notice.
Further information available here
Electricals Recycling Fund
The Electricals Recycling Fund aims to expand existing methods or trial new creative and practical ones for recycling small household electricals.
Almost 80% of people think recycling their electricals is the right thing to do – but only 45% of people think it’s easy. We are looking to fund pilots that make it easier for the UK to recycle their old electricals.
Interested? Read on for more information, download the applicant’s guide for support, then submit your application before 31st May.
The Lidl Green Fund
Big ideas for a greener Ireland. The Lidl Green Fund empowers local communities to champion sustainability and protect our environment. Let’s grow a greener future, one project at a time.
This £25,000 fund will help communities take an active role in championing sustainabile living.
Community groups can apply for funding in one of these categories:
Climate
Biodiversity
Health & Wellbeing
Reducing Waste
How it works:
Nominate: Tell us about your local cause doing great work to protect the environment.
Shortlist: Our judges and colleagues pick the top entries.
Vote: You, our customers, pick the final winners!
Applications close 18 May 2026.
Further information available here
Hays Travel Foundation
Helping young people achieve and be the best they can be is part of our team's DNA, which is why in 2015 we created the Hays Travel Foundation. We set ourselves five main objectives with the main focus being on creating a brighter future for young people who need a bit of help to develop their potential.
Invitation to Attend - Shared Island SE Conference
Join us at our upcoming Shared Island Social Enterprise Conference 2026 taking place on 4th June at Monaghan Peace Campus.
The aim of the conference is to bring social enterprises, policymakers, funders and sector leaders from across the island to strengthen connections, share practical solutions and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
Reasons to attend:
Engage directly with social enterprises working cross-border
Learn about emerging cross-border opportunities in shared services, social procurement, AI and agency collaboration
Contribute to conversations helping to shape the future of social enterprise policy north and south
Build relationships with peers, government representatives and funders
Places will be limited to 100 people in order to support meaningful discussion and networking.
Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1982442851936?aff=oddtdtcreator
Opportunity: PEACEPLUS Social Value Collaborative Project
The Social Value Collaborative (SVC) is a strategic partnership dedicated to building a more resilient, inclusive, and impactful social economy across Northern Ireland and the border counties.
SVC helps organisations move from knowing they make a difference to proving it with confidence. As social value becomes central to funding, commissioning and partnerships, the programme equips participants with practical tools, expert support and peer learning tailored to their starting point.
The first cohort begins in Belfast on 17 June 2026. Applications close 18 May at 5pm. Join one of their weekly online info sessions (via Teams) to learn more.
Further information available here
Women’s Spaces Conference
Please join Women’s Spaces for their end of year conference focusing on realising rights for Women in Northern Ireland, on Tuesday 19 May in the Guildhall in Derry at 11am - 2pm.
They will be joined by experts and policy makers from the women’s sector to discuss and engage with women about issues that affect them and how they link with international rights frameworks. This will include panel discussions and activities focusing on challenges but also solutions as to how we can continue to build women’s skills to engage effectively in public life, community development and peacebuilding.
Women’s Spaces is delivered in partnership by Women’s Platform, Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network, Women’s Resource and Development Agency and Women’s Support Network and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Link to register is in the attached flyer.
Youth Workers - We Need You - Share your thoughts on an AI tool
Workplus is working on a EPIC Futures Grant Funded Research Project to develop an AI-enabled Skills Navigator (Green Skills Edition), designed to map relationships between jobs, skills, employers and career pathways across Northern Ireland.
The core aim of this project is to improve how individuals navigate into green and sustainability-related careers by making pathways clearer, more accessible, and evidence-based.
We know that Youth Workers are important parts of the support system for young people, particularly young people who may not be in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
As part of this project, we’re running a focus group workshop (online) with Youth Workers across NI. Would you be free to join us for this workshop? Tuesday 12th May, 10-10:45am Online, on Microsoft Teams For Youth Workers
Please email lucy@workplus.app to book or for further information.
Latest Offers from Salto Youth
Please see attached document for the latest offers from Salto Youth, including:
Play-Learn-Recharge
Inclusive youth participation webinars - Webinar 4: Democratic participation of young people with intellectual disabilities
Hear Me Out. How to Use Participatory Audio for Supporting Young People
Problem Solving and Digital Tools in Digital Projects
RESPROUT OUR ROOTS: More-than-human and Imagination
Belonging Exhibition
We at Eden Place Arts Centre are delighted to announce that we will be taking part in the Mental Health Arts NI Festival 2026 for the second year running. We will be hosting 'Belonging' by Donegal based artist Gillian Wright.
Belonging is a solo exhibition of painting, printmaking and ceramics.
The Exhibition will run from Monday 11th May until 22nd May. The official launch will be at 1pm on Monday 11th May, everyone is welcome. Viewing times: Mon-Fri 10am-7pm
For more information about the MHANI festival; www.mhani.org MHANI festival and Eden Place Arts Centre are supported through National Lottery Arts Council funding
Shelter NI - Board Opportunities
Shelter NI is currently seeking to recruit three new Trustees to join our Board.
Trustees play a vital role in providing strategic leadership, aligning and monitoring delivery plans, overseeing financial performance and budgets, ensuring legal, regulatory and statutory compliance, and maintaining the highest standards of governance as Company and Charity Directors.
We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in:
We are especially keen to attract applicants from the Derry City & Strabane District Council and Fermanagh & Omagh District Council areas, where key Shelter NI projects are based. Candidates may be based anywhere, as meetings can be attended online, though occasional travel to our Belfast headquarters may be required.
Closing date: 29th May 2026 Shelter NI Board Member Application Shelter NI - Careers - We’re recruiting Trustees – could this be you?
Parkinson's UK Foyle Branch - Volunteering opportunities
The Parkinson's UK Support Groups offer vital friendship, information and support to people with Parkinson's and their families. They change lives - offering a great social outlet and peer supportOur Foyle group now needs a new Group Co-Ordinator to lead the volunteer team, and a new volunteer to look after the contact lists, send out the monthly newsletter and keep members updated.
You will be helping alongside a small and dedicated volunteer team and be fully supported by your staff contact.
Anyone interested in finding out more can get in touch with Morag at mchambers@parkinsons.org.uk or phone her on 07825 450219 for more details.
Job Opportunity with The Churches Trust
We are currently recruiting for a part-time Receptionist Administrator to join The Churches Trust team, and we would be grateful if you could share this opportunity through your networks or with anyone you feel may be interested.
The role is a permanent, part-time post based at our office at 11 Limavady Road, Derry/Londonderry, working 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 1.00pm.
The post will involve reception and front-of-house duties, general office administration, support with service scheduling, petty cash/income records, banking/post office runs, and administrative support across our programmes and charity shop/online retail activity.
We are looking for someone who is organised, reliable, confident dealing with the public, competent using Microsoft Office, and able to work well as part of a small team.
An application pack can be obtained by calling The Churches Trust on 028 7131 1322 or by emailing recruitment@thechurchestrust.org.uk
Job Opportunity with Health for Life
Our new health organisation born from the merger of the Old Library Trust & Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum
Invites applications for the post of: Training & Support Officer Salary: NJC 25.26 Scale 5
Applicants must have: A third level qualification in a health social sciences subject AND one year’s experience training or educating individuals/ groups in health-related issues.
OR three years’ training or educating individuals/ groups in health-related issues.
Application packs can be obtained by emailing roisin@olt.ie. Completed applications must be returned by email no later than 12 midday on Tue 5th May 2026.
Health for Life Supporting Community Wellbeing is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered on merit.
Job Opportunity with St. Columb’s Park House
WE ARE HIRING! A Part Time Project Co-ordinator‘ Our Hidden Healers – the untold heritage beyond the walls’.
St. Columb’s Park House are seeking a Project Co-ordinator for our new heritage project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project includes the history of St Columbs Hospital, the connection to St Columbs Park House as a nurses residence and the wider history associated with the parklands.
The post will include developing an archive, animating the history and engaging local residents and visitors in discovering this history.
Post: 20hrs per week Duration of post: 2 years (June 2026 – August 2028) Salary: £20000 The deadline for application is Friday 9th May 2026.
To apply, please email Sharon for an application pack on sharon@stcolumbsparkhouse.org
Job Opportunity with CALMS
Engagement Officer: CALMS, Derry/Londonderry
CALMS (Community Action for Locally Managing Stress) is seeking to appoint a part-time (30 hours per week) Engagement Officer. This new post will be based at 8 Crawford Square and will support CALMS’s VSS-funded programmes.
Subject to funding confirmation, this post will commence in June 2026. We wish to invite applications for:
Engagement Officer (Part-time post - 30 hours per week) Salary Scale NJC 3-5 - £20,466 pa Secondments and job share will be considered.
This post is fixed term for ten months, with the potential for a second year extension subject to funding.The post will be based at 8 Crawford Square in Derry/Londonderry with occasional travel.
Application packs for the above post can be requested via email from: chair@calmsstresscentre.org JobApplyNI
Closing date for applications is Friday, 1st May 2026 at 12 noon and interviews will be held on, 8th May 2026 in Derry/Londonderry.
CALMS - Invitation to tender
CALMS – Stress Centre for Adolescent and Adult Mental Health Support
CALMS is inviting suitably qualified and experienced practitioners to tender for the delivery of therapeutic and wellbeing services for living victims and survivors of the Northern Ireland Troubles. The tender covers the provision of sessional services funded by the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) for the period 1 May 2026 to 31 March 2027, with the possibility of extension subject to funding. Services Being Tendered
Applicants may apply for one or more of the following service areas:
Complementary Therapists (qualified in a minimum of two complementary therapy modalities) (Rate £35 per session)
Welfare Rights Advisor (Rate £30 per hour)
Yoga Teacher (experienced in trauma‑informed practice) (Rate £35 per hour)
Music, Drama and Creative Arts Facilitators (experienced in working with trauma‑affected individuals) (Rate £35 per hour)
All roles require demonstrable experience of working with individuals impacted by conflict‑related trauma, a commitment to trauma‑informed practice, and the ability to work within CALMS’ values and safeguarding framework.
Eligibility Applicants must be appropriately qualified, insured and experienced in delivering services within mental health, community or trauma‑informed settings. Full eligibility criteria and scoring requirements are detailed within the tender documentation.
Submission Details
Closing Date: 12 noon on 1st May 2026
Submission Method: Hard copy submissions only
Tender documents must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the service area(s) applied for.
Submission Address CALMS 8 Crawford Square Derry/Londonderry BT48 7HR For tender documentation or clarification requests, please contact: Email: chair@calmsstresscentre.org
CALMS is an equal opportunities organisation and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Open call for artists/performers from minoritised communities
We are looking for Minority Ethnic Cultural Champions
Are you an artist/performer from a racialised minoritised community living on the island of Ireland?
Could you use your artistic practice to help break down cultural barriers, prejudices and stereotypes?
Would you be willing to mentor others to promote intercultural dialogue through artistic expression?
What We’re Looking For: Through the Intercultural Cross-Border Inclusion Programme (ICIP), we're offering 12 short-term Cultural Diversity Champion Fellowship Awards to artists and performers from racialised minoritised communities. Each Fellowship award involves a budget of up to €9,200 (£8,000) to cover the cost of mentoring two groups as well as your own fees and expenses.
We are seeking passionate, committed individuals who share our belief in diversity, equality, and peacebuilding. Applicants should demonstrate strong community engagement skills, a commitment to inclusion and the ability to work collaboratively within and across organisations.
If you're interested, please follow this link for more information and the Expression of Interest form: https://shorturl.at/oZCR1
ICIP aims to deliver community-led peacebuilding, inclusion and integration across the island of Ireland. Funded by Special EU Programmes Body - SEUPB through its PEACEPLUS Programme. ICIP is led by the North West Migrants Forum (NWMF) in partnership with Donegal Intercultural Platform, Rural Community Network, MSCNI and Irish Network Against Racism (INAR).
If you’re ready to make a difference, inspire young minds and be part of something exciting—we’d love to hear from you!
Deadline for Expressions of Interest: May 20
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.
