Free funding information roadshow for community and voluntary groups across Mid and East Antrim

Wednesday 24 January 2024

The event, which takes place in Larne Town Hall, will provide the opportunity to meet with funders and funding support organisations, a free training workshop on how to generate sustainable income through social enterprise as well as an information workshop from the Charity Commission NI.

The planned activities for the day will run at the following times:

• 2pm – 2.40pm: A information session from The Charity Commission NI to discuss registration plans and processes plus answer any questions. (Registration essential – minimum of 10 required to run this workshop)
• 2.30pm – 6.30pm: Drop-in Funding Fair – an opportunity to speak with funding organisations about funding opportunities and project ideas.
• 6pm – 7.30pm: A free awareness training workshop on how to generate sustainable income through Social Enterprise. (Registration essential)

Organisations attending include - National Lottery Fund; Community Foundation NI; NI Housing Executive; The Executive Office; Groundwork; The Heritage Fund; Network Personnel; Department of Foreign Affairs; Council Grants Team; Larne Community Development Project; Community Relations Council; Labour Market Partnership and Supporting Communities.

The FREE event is being hosted by Larne Area Community Cluster - a Council initiative designed to advance community development in the Larne Area. There are now 63 community groups involved in the Cluster initiative, who regularly work together on collaborative projects which seek to improve the lives of local residents and build capacity for the voluntary sector.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, said: “We are delighted to partner with Supporting Communities and members of Larne Area Community Cluster to run a funding roadshow for the voluntary sector on 30 January 2024.

“The community and voluntary sector are a lifeline for so many across our Borough and it is only through securing essential funding that their vital work can continue. It is our hope that community organisations will be able to gain invaluable information about funding opportunities, revenue generation and funding support services on the day, through the one-stop-shop format - which will ultimately build capacity and ensure sustainability for our voluntary sector.”

Diane Huston, Chair of Larne Area Community Cluster, added: “Holding funding events is vital for all community organisations due to funding becoming increasingly hard to source and the need from our communities increasing.

“This funding roadshow will be an excellent resource for our community groups within the Larne Area Community Cluster Group.  Many of our groups have limited experience in the funding arena and this will help build their confidence when applying for funding in the future.”

Funding and Social Value Officer from Supporting Communities, Antia Doonan, said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to offer this event to the community and voluntary organisations in the local area.

“We are looking forward to meeting with groups and hearing their stories around the need for funding and support within their organisations. The event is a great one-stop opportunity and we encourage as many groups to come along on the day."

The free funding roadshow event is open to community or voluntary sector groups within Mid and East Antrim.

To register for workshops, or to find out more about the event, please contact Amanda Cotter on M: 07391 863492 or E: amanda.cotter@midandeastantrim.gov.uk