Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Grant Programme in Northern Ireland (UK)

Deadline: 17-Feb-25

The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust is inviting applications for its funding initiatives that advance peace, equality, inclusion, and human rights within Northern Ireland.

Vision 

• The vision is of a Northern Ireland with the following characteristics:
  • A constitutional settlement which takes account of the range of political views of the people of Northern Ireland, Britain and Ireland, and which is underpinned by the principles and values of democracy, human rights and equality. 
  • A pluralist political culture which is transparent, responsive, accountable and inclusive of the full breadth and diversity of the population. 
  • Effective and democratic mechanisms for managing societal and political difference without recourse to violence. 
  • A respectful and inclusive public discourse about the historical conflict in Northern Ireland, which promotes a shared understanding of the root causes of the violence, and a public policy framework which facilitates truth, justice and reconciliation.
  • A cohesive society where diversity is celebrated and cultural heritage is respected, fostering a sense of unity and belonging among all communities in Northern Ireland.

Priorities

• The Northern Ireland programme has three priority areas:
  • Strengthening human rights and equality 
    • They are interested in funding work which:
      • aims to ensure the implementation of human rights commitments by the state
      • promotes policy initiatives and advocacy campaigns aimed at achieving equity and inclusion for marginalised or minoritised communities
      • strengthens the anti-racist voice in systems of power and accountability in Northern Ireland.
  • Reimagining society
    • They are interested in funding work which:
      • fosters a positive, forward-thinking political landscape in Northern Ireland, emphasising participation, inclusion and sustainability
      • promotes inclusive, evidence-based and responsible public discourse
      • facilitates the growth of progressive social movements within Northern Ireland.
  • Cultivating peace and reconciliation 
    • They are interested in funding work which:
      • promotes a shared understanding of the root causes of past violence
      • encourages groups engaged in armed struggle to take steps towards exclusively non-violent strategies and to engage in comprehensive processes of transition from paramilitarism to civilian life.
      • assists communities heavily influenced by paramilitarism in cultivating democratic, anti-sectarian, and non-violent methods for expressing and managing political differences.

Assessment Criteria

• Decisions about grants in the Northern Ireland programme are made by a Northern Ireland committee consisting of trustees, staff, and co-opted members selected on the basis of experience/expertise.
• Recommendations from this committee are then scrutinised, with final decisions authorised by JRCT’s board of trustees.
• Some factors that will be taken into consideration when assessing applications are: 
  • Does the proposed work effectively address the intersecting harms of economic inequality, climate breakdown, patriarchy, and racial or sectarian injustice?
  • Is the proposed work likely to bring about lasting, strategic, or systemic changes?
  • Does the proposed work centre the voices and experiences of marginalised or underrepresented groups at different levels?
  • Does the proposed work explore the underlying root causes of violence and injustice, rather than merely addressing superficial symptoms?

For more information, visit Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.