Connect Fund Round 2

The Connect Fund offers grants from £300 up to £50,000 aiming to support work in sectors directly affecting Northern Ireland communities, encouraging East-West collaboration across the UK, and equipping local groups to tackle challenges and access opportunities shared by communities in Great Britain. The Connect Fund awards up to £1m to strengthen civic East-West collaboration on matters of shared interest, including mutual challenges and opportunities across a range of sectors that directly affect communities in Northern Ireland. The Government supports an inclusive United Kingdom and acknowledges the importance of bringing together community groups across the United Kingdom to better improve the lives of all communities in Northern Ireland. The Connect Fund will connect the great ideas, people and solutions in Northern Ireland with those across the United Kingdom to address mutual challenges and grasp shared opportunities. Applications must have a clear East-West lens and deliver on one or more of the following objectives: strengthen East-West connections by developing long lasting civic relationships; propose an original approach to developing East-West connections; support the development of cultural, sports and people-to-people links; build leadership capability opportunities for community leaders on an East-West basis; or facilitate positive and constructive dialogue on shared opportunities/challenges facing communities in the UK. Funding can be provided for both standalone/one off projects (e.g. attending a conference or facilitating a visit) or for a more recurrent project (e.g. establishing a UK-wide forum for community organisations). Funding must be fully drawn down during 2026/27.