Deadline: 17-May-24
Applications are now open for the Fibrus Community Fund to address digital poverty by awarding grants to enable local groups and organisations in particular areas, to provide access to digital technology for the most vulnerable in that community, with a particular focus on older people, people on low income and people with disabilities.
The Fibrus Community Fund established by Fibrus Broadband in 2021. The Fund is aimed at addressing digital poverty and exists to support the work of communities across Northern Ireland (NI) to provide access to digital technology for the most vulnerable.
Having the ability to access the internet can open a range of opportunities for individuals and communities, especially when it comes to education, employment and socialising. Formed with one vision; to connect communities across Northern Ireland, the Fibrus Community Fund will offer technology grants to enable people to stay connected; whether it is young people staying connected to online resources, or elderly people ordering groceries and video calling family.
Priorities
- Focus on the positive contribution of people within the community, and help those most in need of support (older people, people on low incomes and people with disabilities) to use and access digital technologies.
- They want to hear how your community intends to build on the assets within that community, to support those who have faced digital challenges.
- They expect you to focus on the need of your beneficiaries in terms of digital poverty, as well as focus on what is good about your community, and how this project will build on previous successes as a community, and support the beneficiary/beneficiaries in the longer term.
Funding Information
- They will offer grants of up to £2,000 for projects that address digital poverty with a particular focus on older people, people on low income and people with disabilities.
Types of Projects
- Projects that provide access to engage with a range of digital devices (laptops, tablets, iPads, smart phones, etc.), such as a community loan facility, etc.
- Projects that strengthen the capacity of individuals to use a range of available digital services, such as training workshops or courses.
- Projects that provide access to enhance connections with others, such as a community-use internet hub, or internet café, etc.
Who Can Apply?
- Constituted community and voluntary organisations with an annual income below £50,000, based in the areas outlined below:
- Eligible postcodes:
- BT5, BT6, BT8, BT9, BT12, BT13, BT16, BT17, BT18, BT19, BT20, BT21, BT22, BT23, BT24, BT25, BT26, BT27, BT28, BT29, BT30, BT31, BT32, BT33, BT34, BT35, BT36, BT38, BT39, BT40, BT41, BT42, BT43, BT44, BT45, BT46, BT47, BT48, BT49, BT51, BT52, BT53, BT54, BT55, BT56, BT57, BT60, BT61, BT62, BT63, BT64, BT65, BT66, BT67, BT68, BT69, BT70, BT71, BT74, BT75, BT76, BT77, BT78, BT79, BT80, BT81, BT82, BT92, BT93, BT94, BT99.
- Eligible postcodes:
- Applicants who have not previously been awarded a grant from the Fund.
- Those who more clearly articulate and evidence the need in relation to digital exclusion.
They will not fund
- The Community Foundation will not fund organisations or activities which promote causes that are contrary to their purposes. Causes and activities that are contrary to their purposes include, but may not be limited to, those outlined in their investment policy. They will not therefore fund organisations or activities which they determine are linked to the promotion of armaments, alcohol, human rights abuses, tobacco or pornography
- The advancement of religion. This includes organisations whose purposes include the advancement of religion
- The establishment of endowment of any school or institution providing further education within the meaning of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
- The provision of assistance to any Housing Association within the meaning of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1976
- Promotion of religious or political activity, including any flags and emblems that may deem to be associated with such
- CIC Companies Limited by Shares, or CICs without an asset lock clause. Eligible CICs must have at least three unrelated committee members, and/or the majority of the committee unrelated
- Trips outside of Northern Ireland
- Applications from individuals
- Applications from statutory organisations
- Purchase of vehicles
- Holiday schemes
- Parties and shopping trips
- Activities that duplicate existing services
- Retrospective funding
- Substitution for statutory funding
- Groups who have not complied with previous monitoring requirements
Note: Applicants that currently hold a live Fibrus Community Fund grant and who are considering re-applying to the fund must ensure all outstanding information is provided for the current grant held. This includes details of spend and any monitoring.
For more information, visit The Community Foundation Northern Ireland.