Deadline: 08-Jun-2026
The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls – The Change Fund (2025–26) supports community and voluntary organisations delivering prevention-focused projects across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough. The programme is designed to reduce violence against women and girls by changing harmful attitudes, behaviours, and social norms, while strengthening safety and awareness in local communities.
The fund prioritises grassroots, community-led interventions that address the root causes of gender-based violence and promote respectful, healthy relationships.
Overview
This funding opportunity supports prevention-oriented initiatives that aim to reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG). It focuses on education, awareness, behavioural change, and community engagement to build safer environments.
Projects are expected to contribute to the objectives of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework, with emphasis on long-term cultural and behavioural change.
Programme Objectives
The fund aims to:
- Prevent violence against women and girls through early intervention and awareness
- Promote healthy, respectful, and equal relationships
- Challenge harmful attitudes, behaviours, and cultural norms
- Improve safety and perceived safety for women and girls
- Increase understanding of the root causes of gender-based violence
- Strengthen community and voluntary sector capacity
- Support grassroots and locally led initiatives
- Encourage collaboration and partnership working
Geographic Scope
- Causeway Coast and Glens Borough (Northern Ireland)
All funded activities must directly benefit communities within this area.
Funding Structure (Three Tiers)
The programme offers a tiered funding model to support different scales of intervention:
Tier 1: Small-Scale Activities
- Funding range: £1,000 – £5,000
- Suitable for:
- One-off events
- Workshops
- Awareness campaigns
- Short-term community activities
- Must align with at least one prevention outcome
Tier 2: Medium-Scale Programmes
- Funding range: £5,001 – £15,000
- Suitable for:
- Structured educational programmes
- Longer-term initiatives
- Capacity-building activities
- Requires clear understanding of VAWG prevention outcomes
Tier 3: Large-Scale or Collaborative Projects
- Funding range: £15,001 – £25,000
- Duration: Up to 2 years
- Suitable for:
- Multi-partner initiatives
- Mentoring programmes
- Complex community interventions
- Requires collaboration or mentoring support for smaller organisations
Mandatory Requirement
- All applications must include a Tier 1 element, regardless of funding tier
- Tier 3 applicants must demonstrate:
- Collaboration with organisations of similar capacity, or
- Mentoring support for less experienced groups
Eligible Activities
Funded projects may include:
- Awareness-raising campaigns on violence against women and girls
- Community workshops and education programmes
- Behaviour change and attitude-shifting initiatives
- Training on healthy relationships and gender equality
- Outreach activities targeting local communities
- Collaborative prevention projects
- Youth engagement and education activities
- Capacity-building for community organisations
Eligible Applicants
Eligible organisations include:
- Community organisations
- Voluntary sector organisations
- Not-for-profit groups
Applicants must:
- Operate within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough
- Have a formal governance structure and constitution
- Demonstrate capacity to deliver and manage funded projects
- Work for community benefit
Assessment Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Quality and clarity of the proposal
- Expected impact on violence prevention outcomes
- Value for money
- Organisational capacity and governance
- Strength of community engagement approach
- Evidence of partnership or collaboration (where relevant)
How to Apply
Step 1: Define Project Scope
Applicants should:
- Identify target communities
- Align activities with prevention outcomes
- Ensure focus on awareness and behaviour change
Step 2: Select Funding Tier
Choose appropriate tier based on:
- Project scale
- Duration
- Complexity
- Collaboration needs
Step 3: Develop Project Plan
Include:
- Clear objectives
- Delivery methods
- Community engagement strategy
- Expected outcomes
Step 4: Prepare Application
Submit:
- Project proposal
- Budget breakdown
- Governance details
- Evidence of capacity to deliver
Tips for Applicants
- Focus strongly on prevention and behavioural change outcomes
- Clearly define how attitudes and norms will be addressed
- Include measurable impact indicators
- Strengthen community engagement strategies
- Build partnerships where possible
- Ensure alignment with VAWG strategic priorities
- Demonstrate sustainability beyond funding period
Why This Fund Matters
Violence against women and girls remains a significant societal issue rooted in cultural norms and structural inequalities. This fund supports community-driven prevention efforts that aim to shift attitudes, improve awareness, and create safer environments where women and girls can live free from violence and fear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the funding range?
- £1,000 to £25,000 depending on tier.
- Where must projects take place?
- Causeway Coast and Glens Borough.
- Can organisations apply for multiple tiers?
- Yes, but only one project can be funded.
- Is collaboration required?
- Required for Tier 3 projects.
- What must all applications include?
- A Tier 1 component regardless of funding level.
- What is the main focus of the fund?
- Preventing violence against women and girls through behavioural and cultural change.
- Who can apply?
- Not-for-profit community and voluntary organisations with appropriate governance.
Conclusion
The Change Fund 2025–26 supports community and voluntary organisations in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough to prevent violence against women and girls through awareness, education, and cultural change initiatives. By prioritising grassroots action and collaboration, the programme aims to build safer communities and promote long-term behavioural change that reduces violence and improves safety for women and girls.
For more information, visit Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council.
