Belfast groups offered grants of up to £25,000 to tackle violence against women and girls

September 15, 2026 The Belfast Desk

Community and voluntary organisations across Belfast are being invited to apply for grants of up to £25,000 for projects aimed at ending violence against women and girls.

Belfast funding to end violence against women and girls — Belfast groups can apply for grants of up to £25,000 to support projects aimed at ending violence against women and girls. Graphic: The Belfast Desk.

Belfast City Council has opened applications to its Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Local Change Fund, which supports projects designed to challenge the culture, attitudes and behaviours that can contribute to violence against women and girls.

The Belfast scheme is one of 11 local funds supporting the Northern Ireland Executive’s wider Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls.

Grants of up to £25,000 available

Funding is being offered across three tiers.

Tier 1 provides grants from £1,000 to £10,000, Tier 2 covers awards from £10,001 to £15,000, while Tier 3 offers grants between £15,001 and £25,000.

Applications close at 12 noon on Friday 9 October 2026, and all funded activity and expenditure must be completed by 31 March 2027.

The funding is intended to support events, projects and activity programmes which contribute towards ending violence against women and girls in Belfast.

Projects specifically involving men and boys are particularly encouraged. These can include work promoting positive masculinity, improving understanding of violence against women and girls and helping men become allies in challenging harmful attitudes and behaviour.

Lord Mayor welcomes funding

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly said the funding could help community and voluntary organisations develop programmes involving women, girls, boys and men.

She said projects could help people understand the different forms violence can take while providing them with the tools to recognise and challenge it.

The Lord Mayor said she hoped projects supported through the fund would encourage conversations about ending violence against women and girls across Belfast.

Third year of Belfast scheme

This is the third year Belfast City Council has delivered Local Change Fund grants aimed at ending violence against women and girls.

Previous projects have included work with sports teams, educational programmes and discussions, the development of educational games and the creation of ambassadors able to lead conversations about violence within their communities.

The Local Change Fund forms part of the Executive’s wider strategy aimed at preventing violence against women and girls by challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours and promoting healthy and respectful relationships.