Belfast City Council announces new funding to end violence against women and girls

Belfast community and voluntary organisations can apply for new Ending Violence Against Women and Girls funding to support projects aimed at changing attitudes, behaviours and culture across the city. Applications are being administered by Belfast City Council.

Belfast City Council has announced new funding for community projects working to end violence against women and girls in Belfast.

Community and voluntary organisations across the city are being invited to apply to the latest round of the Local Change Fund.

The grants form part of 11 local funds established to support the Northern Ireland Executive’s Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls, known as EVAWG.

Belfast organisations invited to apply for EVAWG funding

The Local Change Fund is designed to support projects which challenge the culture, behaviours and attitudes that can contribute to violence against women and girls.

Projects can work with women, girls, boys and men to improve understanding of violence and abuse, recognise harmful behaviour and encourage people to challenge it.

Initiatives involving men and boys are particularly encouraged.

These can include projects which:

• raise awareness of the EVAWG strategy
• promote positive masculinity
• challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours
• encourage men to become allies in ending violence against women and girls
• promote healthy and respectful relationships

More information about Belfast City Council’s work to tackle violence against women and girls is available at:

https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence

Lord Mayor welcomes Belfast Local Change Fund

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Roís-Máire Donnelly welcomed representatives from the community and voluntary sector at a launch event for the funding.

She said:

“Belfast City Council is proud to administer these Local Change Fund grants, which we hope will play an important role in ending violence against women and girls in our city.

“This money helps community and voluntary sector organisations create effective programmes which engage whole groups of women, girls, boys and men to not only understand what this violence can look like, but give them the tools to recognise it, call it out and stop it.

“I am hopeful that the projects delivered through this fund will get people talking about EVAWG and will ultimately play a part in ending violence against women and girls living in Belfast.”

Previous Belfast projects supported

This is the third year Belfast City Council has delivered EVAWG Local Change Fund grants.

Previous projects have worked with people across Belfast to raise awareness and encourage conversations about violence against women and girls.

Activities have included:

• projects involving sports teams
• education and group discussions
• educational games
• awareness campaigns
• training EVAWG ambassadors who can speak with their peers and answer questions

Belfast City Council says funded projects this year must be completed by the end of March 2027.

Information session for organisations

An online information session about the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls funding will take place on:

Thursday 24 September 2026
6.30pm to 7.30pm

Organisations interested in attending can email:

cgugrants@belfastcity.gov.uk

Groups can view guidance and apply through Belfast City Council’s funding system:

https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/funding

How to apply

Community and voluntary organisations considering an application should read the relevant guidance before submitting their proposal.

Applications can be made through Belfast City Council’s Online Funding Hub.

Apply or view available funding:
https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/funding

Organisations considering a project are encouraged to ensure their proposal clearly demonstrates how it will help change attitudes, behaviours or culture and contribute towards ending violence against women and girls.

Find out more

Further information about Belfast City Council’s wider programme to end violence against women and girls can be found at:

https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence

Community organisations with an idea for a suitable project should review the funding guidance and apply through the council’s funding portal.