The Rights in Action Small Grants Programme

The Rights in Action Small Grants Programme offers small grants to support YouthAction NI members to provide youth programmes or one-off events that promote rights-based youth work with their young people and communities. It aims to help local member groups:

• Promote youth voice, activism, and leadership

• Record the difference they make to young people and communities

• Respond to local needs and priorities

• Connect local members to the regional network

A total of £30,000 is available, and applications will be considered on a first come, first-assessed basis.

Round 2 - launching October 2026

How to apply? Email donna@youthaction.org for an application pack today.

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The Toy Trust

Welcome applications from small UK-based children's charities - working for the benefit of children across the UK. All applications should be supported by a registered Charity number, be in support of disadvantaged children aged below 13 years, come from a charity that has been running for a minimum of one full year, and be for less than £5000 unless a compelling case can be put forward. Trustees meet four times a year.

Apply here: How To Apply - Toy Trust

Deadline: Mid November

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Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Grant

Small seeding activity and/or insurance community grant. Funding of up to £1,000 is available to constituted community, voluntary & charitable groups for initial set up costs and insurance. This funding can also be used to deliver a small activity within the community.

Deadline: Closes 6 November 2026 – for activities in January, February & March 2027.

Apply here: More info

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The National Lottery Rural Engagement Arts Programme - Arts Council of Northern Ireland

The Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP) supports arts projects that tackle isolation and loneliness, promote social inclusion and wellbeing, and improve access to and participation in the arts for people living in rural communities across Northern Ireland. Grants of £500–£10,000 are available for projects or programmes of events, including new or existing activity. Partnership working is encouraged, with consortium applications prioritised.

Deadline: 24th September @ 12noon

Apply here: More info

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Volunteering Small Grant Programme 2026/27 | Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council

The Volunteering Small Grant Programme supports community, voluntary and sporting organisations to recruit, train and recognise volunteers, helping to increase volunteering opportunities and strengthen local communities. Grants of up to £500 are available to organisations with an annual income of no more than £100,000, with eligible costs including volunteer recruitment, training, recognition, travel and PPE.

Rolling programme – closes when the budget is fully allocated.

Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply here: More info

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YouthAction NI collaborated with our member organization, St. Patrick's Youth Club Keady, on the Ending Violence Against Women & Girls Project.

The young women and young men each crafted their own manifestos to raise awareness in the local community about how they can contribute to addressing EVAWG.

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They hosted a celebration event to officially launch their manifestos, with gratitude extended to local MLA, Armagh Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council councillors and staff, EA Youth Service, the EVAWG Team from the Executive Office, and the dedicated staff and volunteers from the youth club.

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Daire Finn remarked;

What I realized during my time on the project is that this issue is prevalent everywhere. It’s young men like us who need to step up to ensure that the young women who use the club feel safe in our community, just as we do.