Belfast City Council

Small grants of up to £1,000 for constituted sports clubs and community organisations delivering participation activity for European City of Sport 2026. Up to £250 may be used for essential equipment. First-come, first-served; activity by 31 December 2026.

European City of Sport Try-It grants As part of our celebration of being awarded European City of Sport 2026, we are launching a Small Grants Programme to support local sports clubs and community organisations in delivering activities that encourage participation in sport and physical activity in Belfast. Grants of up to £1,000 are available to constituted sports clubs and community organisations. Within the total grant award, up to £250 may be used for the purchase of essential sports equipment required to deliver the proposed activity. Eligibility criteria You must: be a fully constituted sports club or community organisation. confirm that they have an appropriate governing document/constitution in place. deliver activities that contribute to the celebration of Belfast as European City of Sport 2026. ensure all funded activity is completed and all monitoring and reporting requirements are submitted by 31 December 2026. More information Maximum grant available: £1,000 Up to £250 of the award may be allocated towards essential equipment costs. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis and applications will be assessed in the order they are received. The programme will close once all available funding has been allocated. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. How to apply For an application and guidance notes, email europeancityofsport@belfastcity.gov.uk . Completed applications should also be emailed to europeancityofsport@belfastcity.gov.uk . If you need any further information regarding the programme or application process, get in touch. We look forward to supporting clubs and organisations in creating exciting opportunities that celebrate Belfast’s year as European City of Sport 2026. Full Details: European City of Sport 2026 | Belfast

Inclusive Communities: The Phoenix Community Fund Thriving, connected communities is at the core of our business and community purpose, and the Phoenix Community Fund has been established to help local charity and community groups across our licenced area. Now into 2026, we are again utilising the Phoenix Community Fund to: support community groups and organisations across our licensed area with funding to help them deliver an activity that reduces social isolation, removes barriers to inclusion and promotes equality in their community. support biodiversity groups and organisations across our licensed area with funding that helps enhance our local biodiversity and environmental impact. Activities in 2025 included, an inclusive pumpkin patch for kids and young people with down syndrome, a biodiversity initiative to provide funding for a herbal hedge, providing hot meals to socially isolated residents a fun day for sports club and funding for the launch of the new SenseNI Hub building in Belfast. As part of our commitment to building inclusive communities, we provide our colleagues with opportunities to participate in community volunteering activities. If you know of a community project that could use some volunteering support let us know by contacting marketing@phoenixenergyni.com for further information. Applications for the Phoenix Community Fund 2026 for both biodiversity and community events/ activities are now open! Your application for funding towards an event or activity must: Consent to The Phoenix Community Fund Terms & Conditions Be based within the Phoenix Energy licence area Use the funding towards an event or activity within the local community Clearly demonstrate how your event / activity will help reduce social isolation, reduce barriers to inclusion or promote equality in the community Phoenix Energy funds a max of £500. The project must not exceed more than £1000. Applicants must not have established funding streams/ regular funders and demonstrate that without the funds, the activity/ event might be unlikely to happen without the help from Phoenix Energy. Be an inclusive event / activity open to a cross section of the community Be scheduled to take place between 1st April 2026 – 1st March 2027 Full Details: Phoenix Community Fund

Rolling NI-wide Community Relations / Cultural Diversity grants of up to £10,000 (typical awards £2,000–£5,000) for constituted community and voluntary groups. Projects must have a clear good relations purpose addressing sectarianism and/or racism. The 2026/27 scheme closes 15 January 2027; activity must be complete by 31 March 2027. Apply via the Community Relations Council.

NI-wide small grants / match-funding for inclusive sport and physical activity. Sport NI pledges 65% of a Crowdfunder campaign up to £5,000. Open to CASC-registered clubs, sports clubs, community groups and registered charities. Phase 3 activity must complete by 31 March 2027.

Small grants of £500–£5,000 for constituted community, voluntary and arts organisations in Northern Ireland to increase participation and access to the arts. Funded by the Department for Communities. Apply online via Arts Council NI; confirm the current call dates in the programme guidance.

Grants typically £1,000–£3,000 (larger or smaller amounts considered) for charities, community groups and grassroots organisations in Northern Ireland supporting children and young people up to 18 affected by poverty, illness, neglect or additional needs. Apply via Cool FM / Downtown Cash for Kids. Local boards meet several times a year.

Grants of up to £20,000 for up to two years for two or more charities coming together to tackle a social issue at local level across Northern Ireland.

Rolling 12-month NI-wide grants of up to £10,000 for registered charities with annual income of £500,000 or less supporting people in greatest need. May close if the annual budget is allocated.

Grants of up to £20,000 for up to two years for infrastructure charities that support voluntary and community groups across Northern Ireland.

Rolling seeding grants of up to £2,000 for newly registered charities in Northern Ireland to cover start-up costs.

Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund Amateur athletes and sports clubs across Ireland are encouraged to apply for the Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund, designed to support aspiring athletes in achieving their goals. With a proud history of fostering sports development through partnerships like RC Toulon, Uruguay Rugby and Cavan GAA, Kingspan is committed to providing a platform for grassroots athletes, local sports clubs, and community facilities. The fund runs quarterly, with selections taking place at the end of Q1 and Q2, offering financial assistance for essential needs such as equipment, training, and other resources. Who Can Apply? The Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund is open to individuals and organisations across the Island of Ireland, including both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We welcome applications from all communities, aiming to support grassroots sports, emerging talent, & impactful sporting initiatives that align with our values throughout Ireland. The financial support is flexible and intended to cover essential needs such as: Training equipment and performance gear. Coaching, nutrition, or sports science support. Travel and accommodation expenses for competitions. Facility improvements or necessary resources for clubs. Individuals: Funding typically starts from €1,000 Organisations/Clubs: Funding typically starts from €2,500 Note: Higher amounts may be awarded at our discretion for applicants who can demonstrate significant brand coverage opportunities or exceptional partnership value Full Details: Kickstart Sports Fund 2026 | Kingspan Group

Rolling NI-wide grants of £300 to £20,000 for projects lasting up to two years that bring people together and improve communities. Open to constituted community groups, registered charities and CICs. Decision typically within 12 weeks.

Rolling grants of £10,000–£250,000 for not-for-profit heritage projects in Northern Ireland, including community heritage, places, nature and collections. No deadline; optional project enquiry before a full application. Apply via The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Confirm eligibility on the official guidance.

Discretionary NI-wide Community Safety funding for constituted groups addressing safety issues on Housing Executive estates. Awards follow Building Safer Communities Together 2025–2030: building community confidence, local solutions, tackling anti-social behaviour, crime and fear of crime. Capital/building works are ineligible. Apply via the Community Safety Funding form.

People-to-people grants of up to €100,000 (about £86,000) for community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland and the border region. Supports cross-community and cross-border projects under PEACEPLUS themes 1 and 6. Managed by SEUPB and delivered by Pobal, with support from Co-operation Ireland, Rural Action and East Border Region. Match-funding in NI is from the Department for Communities. Funding runs until 2027 with multiple application rounds; the call reopens later in 2026. Confirm dates and apply via the PEACEPLUS portal.

Larger NI-wide People and Communities programme (published as Strengthening Communities) for community-led projects tackling poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. Grants from £20,001 to £500,000. Open to applications; decision in around 16 weeks.

Small Eco Awards Project location: Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales Amount: £300 to £20,000 A decision in: 12 weeks The climate and nature emergency affects us all. But local action can make a real difference. We want to fund projects that have environmental sustainability as their main aim. We’ll fund projects that meet at least one of our priorities: help people connect with and care for nature in their area make a positive difference to the environment help people tackle pollution in their communities You can use our funding to: start a new activity or continue an existing one (if it meets our priorities) help your organisation or community (or both) adapt to new challenges run one-off events that have a clear environmental benefit This funding is for projects based in one of the following countries: Northern Ireland Scotland Wales You cannot use the same funding to run projects in more than one country. Full Details: Small Eco Awards | The National Lottery Community Fund

Through our Solar PV Support Programme, Action Renewables fully fund the installation, maintenance and repair of solar panels for charities, schools, social enterprises and community groups based in Northern Ireland. This will help your organisation save money on electricity bills and protect it against rising electricity rates in the future. How much you can save depends on the current utility rates and the profile of building usage. Our flagship charitable programme aligns with the aim of the UK’s Pathway to Net Zero by increasing the uptake of low-carbon technology, producing low-carbon energy, and reducing the demand for fossil fuels. Installing a solar energy system on your property through the Action Renewables Solar PV Support Programme , will help your organisation save money on electricity bills and protect it against rising electricity rates in the future. How much you can save depends on the current utility rates, and the profile of building usage. As part of our charitable objectives, Action Renewables will assume all installation costs. Action Renewables will retain ownership and responsibility for maintenance and repair during the projected 20-year lifespan. More information can be found here.

Sport NI Creating Opportunities small grants for inclusive sport and physical activity across Northern Ireland, listed by the NI Sports Forum.

Rolling NI-wide grants of up to £3,000 for grassroots activity that saves or significantly improves lives. Priorities: poverty alleviation and support for women and children at risk of immediate harm.