Awards for All Northern Ireland 2025: Shared Space & Community Relations

Northern Ireland's Unique Context

Awards for All Northern Ireland operates within the framework of the Together: Building a United Community strategy, reflecting the region's ongoing commitment to creating a genuinely shared society. The programme recognises that community development in Northern Ireland has distinctive characteristics shaped by history, geography, and the ongoing peace process.

Success requires understanding that Northern Ireland communities are rebuilding social fabric while maintaining cultural identities. The best applications show how projects will strengthen communities while contributing to the broader goal of a society where diversity is celebrated and everyone can participate fully in community life.

Priority Themes for Northern Ireland

1. Shared Space and Services

Creating physical and social spaces where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe:

• Neutral venues – Community centres, parks, and facilities accessible to all
• Mixed activities – Sports, arts, and educational programmes bringing different communities together
• Inclusive design – Ensuring spaces and activities work for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds
• Shared ownership – Governance structures that give all communities stake in project success

Successful example: Derry Community Garden received £9,200 to create growing spaces managed jointly by residents from different areas of the city, with plots allocated by lottery rather than postcode.

2. Cross-Community Contact and Collaboration

Projects that bring people together across traditional divisions:

• Joint activities – Projects where participation naturally mixes different community backgrounds
• Shared learning – Educational programmes that explore common challenges and interests
• Cultural exchange – Opportunities to learn about and appreciate different traditions
• Economic cooperation – Enterprise and employment projects that cross community boundaries

3. Building Positive Relations

Supporting the development of understanding, respect, and friendship:

• Dialogue and discussion – Structured opportunities for meaningful conversation
• Conflict transformation – Projects that help communities deal constructively with disagreement
• Youth engagement – Helping young people develop positive relationships across communities
• Leadership development – Training community leaders to work effectively across divisions

Geographic Considerations Across Northern Ireland

Greater Belfast

Urban communities with complex interfaces and diverse populations:

• Interface areas – Projects that work sensitively with communities separated by barriers
• New communities – Including migrant communities and their integration needs
• Youth provision – Alternatives to territorial behaviour and segregated socialising
• Economic regeneration – Projects that create opportunities across community boundaries

Example: East Belfast Youth Orchestra received £8,500 to recruit young musicians from across the area's interface barriers, creating shared rehearsal and performance opportunities.

Rural and Border Areas

Small communities with traditional divisions but also opportunities for cooperation:

• Shared services – Joint provision of community facilities and activities
• Cross-border cooperation – Working with communities across the Irish border
• Agricultural cooperation – Shared farming initiatives and rural development
• Heritage celebration – Projects that acknowledge multiple traditions and histories

Market Towns

Regional centres serving diverse rural hinterlands:

• Neutral town centres – Creating welcoming spaces for all surrounding communities
• Shared cultural programming – Events and activities that celebrate diversity
• Economic partnerships – Business and enterprise development across communities
• Service integration – Coordinating support services for maximum community benefit

Working with Northern Ireland Partners

Essential Partnerships

Northern Ireland has specialist organisations supporting community relations work:

• Community Relations Councils – District-level organisations supporting good relations work
• Peace and reconciliation groups – Local organisations with expertise in cross-community work
• Interface barrier groups – Specialist organisations working in divided areas
• Integrated schools – Educational institutions committed to serving all communities
• Mixed housing areas – Residents' associations in integrated neighbourhoods

Sector-Specific Networks

Northern Ireland has developed strong cross-community networks:

• Community Voluntary Action – Umbrella body for voluntary and community sector
• Rural Community Network – Supporting rural community development across all areas
• Belfast Interface Project – Specialist expertise in interface areas
• Intercomm – East Belfast community relations organisation
• Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT) – Cross-border cooperation support

Application Strategy for Northern Ireland

Demonstrating Cross-Community Commitment

Show genuine commitment to inclusive participation:

• Mixed governance – Leadership structure representing different community backgrounds
• Inclusive recruitment – Plans to attract participants from all communities
• Neutral branding – Avoiding symbols or language that might exclude anyone
• Accessible venues – Meeting places that feel safe and welcoming to all

Addressing Community Relations Sensitively

Navigate sensitive issues with care and expertise:

• Acknowledge existing divisions without reinforcing them
• Show understanding of local community relations history
• Demonstrate commitment to equality and mutual respect
• Include conflict transformation or mediation support if needed

Building on Existing Good Practice

Learn from Northern Ireland's extensive experience:

• Reference successful cross-community models from elsewhere in Northern Ireland
• Show connections to established good relations organisations
• Demonstrate learning from peace and reconciliation best practice
• Include evaluation methods that capture relationship changes

Common Challenges in Northern Ireland Applications

Single Community Focus

Projects serving only one community may struggle to win funding:

• Even single-identity projects should demonstrate openness to others
• Show how your project contributes to broader community cohesion
• Include plans for future cross-community collaboration
• Avoid language or approaches that might appear sectarian

Superficial Cross-Community Claims

Genuine cross-community work requires more than token representation:

• Demonstrate meaningful involvement, not just attendance
• Show how different communities shape project decisions
• Include relationship-building activities, not just shared tasks
• Plan for addressing tensions or misunderstandings constructively

Ignoring Local Context

Northern Ireland communities have specific histories and sensitivities:

• Research local community relations history and current issues
• Consult with Community Relations Council or peace groups
• Understand local symbols, territories, and sensitive locations
• Show awareness of seasonal sensitivities (marching season, commemorations)

Budget Considerations for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland projects often require specific budget considerations:

• Neutral venues – May cost more than single-community alternatives
• Transport – Helping people cross territorial or interface boundaries
• Facilitation – Skilled practitioners for cross-community dialogue
• Cultural awareness – Training or support for inclusive practice
• Security considerations – Minimal additional costs for safety in sensitive areas

Northern Ireland Success Stories

Shared Education Movement

Educational partnerships across sector boundaries:

• Primary schools sharing specialist teaching and resources
• Youth groups creating joint programmes and exchanges
• Adult education classes bringing communities together for learning
• Shared libraries and study spaces in mixed areas

Integrated Arts and Culture

Creative projects celebrating diversity:

• Community festivals showcasing multiple traditions
• Mixed choirs and orchestras performing diverse repertoires
• Theatre groups exploring shared stories and experiences
• Arts centres programming inclusive cultural activities

Economic Cooperation

Enterprise projects crossing community boundaries:

• Credit unions serving mixed membership areas
• Community enterprises creating cross-community employment
• Farmers' markets bringing producers and consumers together
• Social enterprises addressing shared community needs

After Award: Northern Ireland Networks

Successful Northern Ireland Awards for All recipients join active networks:

• Community Relations Councils – Ongoing support for good relations work
• Peace and reconciliation forums – Learning and development opportunities
• Cross-community networks – Connections with similar projects across Northern Ireland
• Training and development – Skills building for community relations work

Pathways to Larger Northern Ireland Funding

Awards for All success opens access to significant Northern Ireland funding streams:

• Peace PLUS Programme – EU funding for peace and reconciliation projects
• Community Relations Council grants – District-level funding for good relations work
• Department for Communities funding – Community development and voluntary sector support
• Urban Villages Initiative – Regeneration funding for interface areas
• Shared Education Programme – Educational cooperation funding

Professional Support for Northern Ireland Applications

Northern Ireland's unique community relations context requires specialist understanding of good relations principles, cross-community practice, and local sensitivities.

Crafty's AI-powered grant writing service has analysed successful Northern Ireland Awards for All applications, understanding the language, approaches, and evidence that demonstrate genuine commitment to building a shared and united community.

Building a Shared Future Together

Northern Ireland's journey towards a genuinely shared society requires community-level action that builds understanding, respect, and friendship across traditional divisions. Awards for All Northern Ireland supports projects that contribute to this vision while meeting immediate community needs.

Your application should show how £300-£10,000 can help build the Northern Ireland we all want to see – one where diversity is celebrated, everyone feels they belong, and communities work together to address shared challenges and opportunities.

Success requires authenticity and commitment. Show assessors that your project isn't just paying lip service to cross-community principles but genuinely believes that Northern Ireland communities are stronger when they work together. Demonstrate how your project will create lasting positive relationships that continue long after the funding ends.

Awards for All Northern Ireland isn't just community development funding – it's an investment in peace, reconciliation, and building the shared society that benefits everyone. Your project should reflect these broader goals while addressing the specific needs and opportunities in your local community.