DSD Small Grants for Volunteers

DSD Small Grants for Volunteers - Hurry, Only One Week Left to Apply!!

As part of N.Ireland's first ever Volunteering Strategy, DSD Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £1.2m for Volunteer involving organisations right across N. Ireland. There is £600k available for each of the financial years 2013/14 and 2014/15.

 

Grants of between £200 and £1500 are now available to eligible groups. The closing date for the first tranche of funding is Friday 29th November 2013.

 

The overall aim of the programme is to increase diversity within Volunteering. Successful groups must meet at least one of four criteria; to increase volunteer activity by underrepresented groups, to increase the number of Volunteers, to promote innovative methods of recruiting new volunteers and promote innovative methods of engaging with and supporting new and existing volunteers.

 

Mr. Damien Corr from the Association of Independent Volunteer Centres (AIVC) says that the programme is recognition of the important role that local groups and Volunteers play in their communities and he encouraged all groups that engage Volunteers to apply. Mr. Corr says that the application form has been simplified and the whole process streamlined to make it as easy as possible, nevertheless he is urging groups not to wait until the eleventh hour to submit their application as the assessment process will be ongoing.

 

There will be at least five assessment panels across N Ireland to ensure that local knowledge is utilised in the decision making process. The panels will include Council Community Development Officers and other appropriate Community Development practioners as well as Volunteering specialists such as Volunteer Now and local Independent Volunteer Centres.

 

For an application pack including guidelines and criteria and an online application form, please go to www.aivcni.co.uk

Last updated 10 years 4 months ago