Community Relations Core Funding

• Community Relations Council
• Core funding

Groups and organisations seeking funding from the Core Funding Programme must demonstrate:

• their commitment to the principles of equity, respect for diversity and interdependence.
• their capacity to enhance and sustain work of high quality in pursuit of these principles and a track record of engagement in community relations work.
• their capacity to engage significant and diverse elements of Northern Ireland society in the improvement and enhancement of community relations.
• their capacity to contribute to the core purpose of the Council of mainstreaming community relations principles and practice in Northern Ireland. 
• their capacity to work together with others in the promotion of community relations principles and practice.
• their capacity to reach out to other traditions and constituencies, increase mutual understanding and promote good relations in Northern Ireland society. 
• that they are addressing a need or a gap in existing community relations provision.

The number of applications to the Core Funding Programme is considerable.  Applications will be initially assessed and scored against the above criteria for eligibility.  Eligible proposals will then be further assessed and will be weighed against those from other applicant groups.  Given the limited availability of resources it may not be possible to assist applications to the extent requested, or indeed at all, even if applications score above the eligibility threshold.  Decisions on these matters will be made by the Community Initiatives Committee of the Community Relations Council. 

• The closing date for new applications (i.e. organisations not currently in receipt of core funding from the CRC) is 4.00pm on 24 November 2006.
• The closing date for renewal applications (i.e. organisations which are currently supported under the CRC core funding and who are seeking continuation of this support) is 4.00pm on Friday 27 October 2006.

Grants awarded normally commence on 01 April 2007 of the following year and early application is recommended to allow for discussion as appropriate. 

Further information and advice for prospective applications may be obtained from Alison Keenan, the Core Funding Officer at the Community Relations Council akeenan@nicrc.org.uk

www.nicrc.org.uk