Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund 2026-2027
Fund Background Information Eligibility Pre-assessment Questions Application Form
1. Fund Background Information

Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund 2026-2027 - Applications up to £10,000

Fund Key Dates:  
Current Status: Open for Applications
Date Opens: Monday, 23rd March, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Date Closes: Wednesday, 22nd April 2026 at 3:00 PM
Funding Allocations Published Online: To Be Confirmed
Letter of Outcome: To Be Confirmed


Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund 2026-27 Application Form is used to apply for financial support from Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC)

The Equality Commission defines the promotion of Good Relations as follows:
"The growth of relationships and structures for Northern Ireland that acknowledge the religious, political and racial context of this society, and that seek to promote respect, equity and trust, and embrace diversity in all its forms." (2008)

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is the legal context of Good Relations. It places a statutory obligation on public authorities to: "Have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, and racial group."

The Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund provides support for organisations which are considered of strategic importance in promoting Good Relations work in the Council area. These are organisations whose main body of work is in promoting Good Relations and are delivering projects that are specifically designed for those purposes. While organisations may deliver on other issues such as poverty, education, sport etc. to be successful, the bulk of their delivery will be based on Good Relations outcomes only.

Applicants will need to demonstrate how their project meets this objective and at least two of the outcomes from the Together Building a United Community (TBUC) Strategy. To ensure strategic alignment with other strategies, applicants will need to outline how their project will impact on the objectives of the following strategies: DCSDC Good Relations Strategy, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and DCSDC Inclusive Strategic Growth Plan.

Applications are for projects up to £10,000. This is a competitive fund with a limited budget.

The funding programme will operate at City and District wide level to support organisations who are Good Relations practitioners, offering these groups the opportunity to address Good Relations issues at strategic level across the Council area. This includes addressing community tensions, identifying GR issues, addressing and implementing initiatives to overcome core challenges related to issues such as sectarianism, racism, cultural diversity, inclusion and social cohesion.

Funding is intended to support organisations who are core GR Practitioners and applicants must be able to demonstrate this in the form.

Funding is intended for strategic projects that can make a measurable contribution Good Relations.

Applicants must demonstrate how their project links with and impacts on outcomes within the following strategies:

  • Together Building a United Community Strategy
  • DCSDC Good Relations Strategy 2022-25
  • DCSDC Good Relations Strategy 2022-25
  • DCSDC Inclusive Strategic Growth Plan

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate what other funding has been secured for their project, the amount and duration of funding. Applicants will have to provide evidence of other funding awards.

How Does the Fund Work?

  • There is one round of funding this financial year 2026/27. Any monies spent prior to 1st April 2026 are ineligible.
  • You can apply for project costs up to a maximum of £10,000.

Whatever you decide to do, please remember:

  • The project/service should make a real difference to people who live in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.
  • You must be able to show that there is a need for the project/service as you will be asked to demonstrate this.
  • Verifications will be carried out on your project as it progresses. You must provide the required information to the council officer during verifications.
  • You must demonstrate how your project contributes to a safer community

Who Can Apply?

Constituted Community and Voluntary Sector organisations with a base in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area and which promote Good Relations. You will have to confirm you have good governance in place – including insurance, financial accounts and relevant documentation. Groups that already hold funding or who have applied for funding from Council (e.g. Consensual grants) are eligible to apply to this fund.

Strategic Priority Fund Criteria:

  • Funding is intended for strategic projects that can make a measurable contribution to Good Relations
  • Applicants must demonstrate how their project links with and impacts on outcomes within the following strategies:
      • - Together Building a United Community Strategy
      - DCSDC Good Relations Strategy 2022-25
      - Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
      - DCSDC Strategic Growth Plan
  • Applicants will be asked to demonstrate what other funding has been secured for their project, how much and duration of funding. Applicants will have to provide evidence of funding awards.

The following are not eligible for funding:

  • Projects that do not directly benefit Derry City and Strabane District Council residents
  • Alcohol
  • Projects that have already been completed
  • Projects that do not promote the theme of Safe Communities
  • The costs of hire of inflatables over 25% of the approved grant
  • Catering/refreshments/hospitality over 25% of the approved grant
  • Costs that are not auditable i.e. cash payments
  • Repayments of debts, retrospective grants or capital build expenditure
  • Where the primary objective of a project is to raise money for charity
  • Projects must be additional to the usual business of the applicant organisation
  • Applications for Community Safety Warden Schemes will not be considered in this fund
  • Activities or programmes which are the responsibility of another statutory agency will not be considered under this fund.

Deadline for Submission of Applications


If you are submitting your application in an alternative format you should send it to:

Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund 2026/27
Health and Community Directorate
Community Development Section
Derry City and Strabane District Council
98 Strand Road
Derry BT48 7NN

OR

Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund 2026/27
Health and Community Directorate
Community Development Section
Derry City and Strabane District Council
47 Derry Road
Strabane BT82 8DY

Applicants are reminded that the deadline for submission of applications is 3:00 PM on Wednesday, 22nd April 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application early as this deadline is absolute. Please do not wait until near the closing time to submit your application. Under no circumstances will an application be deemed eligible after the 3:00 PM deadline.

Be aware of the speed of your internet connection, your system configuration and the volume of general web traffic that may impact on the time required to upload your application.

Derry City and Strabane District Council cannot accept responsibility for transmission delays. Your completed application must be received before the deadline.

Please note that all projects will be subject to a monitoring and evaluation process. Please read all documentation carefully before submitting your application.

Remember: An official receipt must be obtained from a Council Official if the application is delivered by hand.

If posting, it is recommended that you do give due regard to delivery times specifically during holiday time including Bank Holidays to ensure that your application is delivered by the closing date.


Note: please read the Guidance Notes Scoring Matrix in full before completing the application.

I have read and understand this Background Information
2. Eligibility Pre-assessment Questions

Eligibility Check Questions

Before you can submit an application you must first complete the questions below to see if you are eligible. Only if you are eligible can you proceed to submit an application for funding.

Question Answer Outcome
Q.1 Has your project/service already been completed? Yes No
Q.2 Does your application include funding for salaries / wages? Yes No
Q.3 Are your beneficiaries from the Derry City and Strabane District Council Area? Yes No
Q.4 Does your organisation have Public Liability Insurance to cover the project detailed within your application? Yes No
Q.5 Does your organisation have a Board of Governors / Trustees / Management Committee? Yes No
Q.6 Is your organisation Constituted and does it adhere to the requirements of the governing document? Yes No
Q.7 Are you a Community/Voluntary sector organisation? Yes No
Q.8 Does your Organisation have up to date accounts duly certified by a qualified Accountant from one of the following accounting bodies: A.C.C.A or C.I.M.A or C.I.P.F.A. or I.C.A? Yes No
Q.9 Is your organisation committed to good relations, equal opportunities and Section 75 Legislation in terms of Policies and the delivery of services? Yes No
Q.10 Could your Project/Service be considered the responsibility of another statutory agency? (e.g. statutory youth or education service; health service, etc.) Yes No
Q.11 Is any part of funding applied for going towards repayments of debts, retrospective grants or capital build expenditure? Yes No
Q.12 Does your Project/Service involve working with children / young people or vulnerable adults? Yes No
Q.13 Will the project/service detailed in your application promote a primarily political or religious purpose? Yes No
Q.14 Is your project/service's primary objective to raise money for charity? Yes No
Q.15 Does your organisation have experience of delivering projects/programmes under the theme of or which promote 'Safe Communities' Yes No

Saving Data. Please wait...

3. Application Form

Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund 2026-2027 - Application Form

Congratulations you have are eligible to apply and have reached the Application Form stage.
Please note: if you leave this page without hitting / clicking on the Save Button you will lose your work. You can save the application as you complete it, by simply clicking on the 'Just Save' button. When you are ready to submit the Application to Derry City and Strabane District Council click on the 'Save and Submit' button.
Important Documents:  Guidance Notes | Scoring Matrix
Reference Number:  Generated Upon Submission

Essential Details

Name of Project: *
Name of Organisation: *
Organisation Address: *
Organisation Postcode: *
Contact Telephone No.: *
Email Address: *
Main Contact Name: *
Position: *
Contact Details Include Postcode:

Only provide if different from above
Organisation Website (if applicable):
Charity Number (if applicable):
VAT Registration No. (if applicable):
There are errors associated with the 'Organisation Type' table below and the values you have entered or have not entered.
What type of organisation are you?
Select type below and enter required details *
Unincorporated club or association
Company limited by guarantee
Company limited by shares
Community Interest Company
Registered / Recognised Charity
Trust
Other
Please specify:
Company / Charity Number:
There are errors associated with the 'Government Funding' table below and the values you have entered or have not entered.
Government Funding Database
Please specify your status *
Does your organisation upload key documentation onto the Government Funding Database (GFD)? Yes No
Key Documentation Check – Keeping your key documents up to date. The (GFD) system issues a welcome email which affords the applicant the opportunity to go online and update their organisation's core information as well as upload their key documents. These include; Constitution/Memorandum of Association, a List of Office Bearers/Board of Governors, the Organisation Chart, the Audited Accounts/Financial Statement and the Rental Agreement/Lease or evidence of premises ownership. If your application is successful, your document check with the Council will be minimised as most of your required details are online for download. For further details please see https://govfundingpublic.nics.gov.uk/.
Amount Applied for (Up to a Max £10,000):
Derry City and Strabane District Council Good Relations funding is only available to groups based within the Council area or with a physical branch premises within the Council area. The purpose of the Good Relations Strategic Priority Funding is to contribute towards organisations which are strategically working to promote Good Relations. Groups applying for this fund are expected to demonstrate how they are delivering on the outcomes identified in the Together Building a United Community Strategy, DCSDC Good Relations Strategy, Ending Violence against Women and Girls Strategy and DCSDC Strategic Growth Plan.

NB: Please note your organisation can only be in receipt of one Good Relations Strategic Priority Grant Aid funding award.

Applicants must remain within the allocated maximum words stated in the Application Form questions.
1. Please provide an outline of your project and how it meets SPF Criteria.
(500 words maximum). Maximum Score: 20 Points (See Guidance Notes)
Word Count: Words Remaining:
2. Please provide an outline of your planned project and how it will impact Good Relations issues in the DCSDC area
(200 words maximum). Maximum Score: 20 Points (See Guidance Notes)
Word Count: Words Remaining:
3. Please describe what your project is about.
N.B. Include 'who', 'what', 'when', 'where', 'why' and 'how'. For example:
Who - Who will participate, facilitate, benefit, organise, manage? How many will participate?
What - What are the activities, events, workshops?
When - When will this happen? (Planning, Delivery, Completion)
Where - Where will this happen? Where are beneficiaries from?
Why - Why is this project needed? What evidence have you of that need? Does it address perceived gaps in current provision?
How - How will you deliver it? Monitor and evaluate it? Recruit for it? Monitor and evaluate it? How will you measure impact? How the project fits with the criteria of the SPF Criteria?
(500 words maximum). Maximum Score: 18 Points (See Guidance Notes)
Word Count: Words Remaining:
4. Please outline the experience of your organisation in delivering programmes relevant to the theme of Good Relations. Please ensure you include details of programmes you have delivered specifically targeted at promoting Good Relations where your organisation could be deemed a GR Practitioner.
(500 words maximum). Maximum Score: 15 Points (See Guidance Notes)
Word Count: Words Remaining:
5. How does this project address Good Relations issues prevalent in the Council area? Please detail and provide evidence of these issues.
N.B. Please refer to current/recent:
Statistical evidence,
Research,
Local consultation,
Number of service users / beneficiaries,
Feedback from evaluations etc.
(300 words max) Maximum Score: 10 Points (See Guidance Notes)
Word Count: Words Remaining:
There are errors associated with the 'Good Relations Outcome' table below and the values you have entered or have not entered.
6.a Please tick a minimum of TWO GR Outcomes that your project is going to address.
  Good Relations Outcome Shall Address
1 Improving attitudes of children from different backgrounds
2 Young people engaging in bringing the community together
3 Increased use of shared space and services
4 Shared space accessible to all
5 Reduce the prevalence of hate crime and intimidation
6 A community where places and spaces are safe for all
7 Increased sense of community belonging
8 Cultural diversity is celebrated
You must tick at least TWO GR Outcomes that your project is going to address
6b. Describe how your project will address the Good Relations Outcomes that you have ticked in Question 6a. Please note that ticking many boxes does not necessarily result in more points being awarded. It is more important that it is clearly explained how any outcome(s) chosen will be addressed.
(300 words max) Maximum Score: 10 Points ( See Guidance Notes)
Word Count: Words Remaining:
There are errors associated with the 'District Electoral Areas (DEA)' table below and the values you have entered or have not entered.
7. Which District Electoral Areas (DEA) does your project target?
You must indicate which DEA that the project beneficiaries will come from.
  District Electoral Areas (DEA) Shall Target
1 Ballyarnett
2 Derg
3 Faughan
4 Foyleside
5 Moor
6 Sperrin
7 Strabane Town
8 Waterside
9 Across the City and District
8. Please detail how your project links with and impacts on the following strategies:
  • - Together Building a United Community (TBUC) Strategy;
  • - DCSDC Good Relations Strategy 2022-25;
  • - Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and
  • - DCSDC Strategic Growth Plan
(500 words maximum). Maximum Score: 16 Points (See Guidance Notes)
Word Count: Words Remaining:
9. Please describe how you will ensure the project is well run and managed:
N.B.
Please name the person who will manage this project.
Describe how this person and your organisation has previous experience of a similar project (give relevant examples).
Detail what financial experience you have of managing and claiming/vouching grants (give examples).
Describe how you will monitor and evaluate the project and the staff implementing it.
Describe how you will deal with any unforeseen circumstances etc.
(300 words maximum). Maximum Score: 6 Points (See Guidance Notes)
Word Count: Words Remaining:
There are errors associated with the 'Costs and Funding' table below and the values you have entered or have not entered.
10. What do you require Derry City and Strabane District Council to fund?
N.B. Project and Core Costs are eligible. Please note that project management costs may be eligible for funding but will be capped at a maximum of 20% of the approved grant and must be proportionate to the scale and duration of the project. N.B. Salaries and management costs can't both be funded under this programme. Please be aware that while you can apply to numerous funders for the same specific costs, you may only accept one offer of funding.

Please give as much accurate detail as possible – detail will show if each heading is value for money. For Project Costs, you may wish to seek quotations etc. in advance or show a breakdown of costs e.g. rates per hour, equipment details. Check that the costs outlined are clearly relevant to the project you have described on this application form.

The costs for the hire of inflatables is eligible but will be capped at 25% of the approved grant. Catering / Refreshments / Hospitality can only be funded up to 25% of the approved grant. Council does not fund alcohol. Any monies spent prior to 1st April 2026 are ineligible. This funding works on a financial year and must be spent and claimed by 31st March 2027.
Maximum Score: 6 Points (See Guidance Notes)
Expenditure Details (e.g. Room Hire, Facilitation, Transport, Publicity) Breakdown of Costs (£) Amount Required from DCSDC Who will fund remainder   
No Details have been added yet. Please click the Add Row button above to add a row.

Please take this space to provide a further breakdown of any specific costs indicated above and indicate any other funding you have applied for or secured:

There are errors associated with the 'Other Funding Secured' table below and the values you have entered or have not entered.
Q11. Please detail any other funding you have secured for this project *
Maximum Score: 9 Points (See Guidance Notes)
Funder Amount (£)   
No Details have been added yet. Please click the Add Row button above to add a row.

Applicants Authorisation

We hereby declare that the information contained in this application form is accurate and in line with the requirements as outlined in the guidance notes.
Current Chairperson: *
Date: *  

Current Secretary or Treasurer: *
Date: *  

Thank you! Your Application was saved and has been submitted successfully to the Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund at Derry City and Strabane District Council.


Your Reference Number:


We will be in touch, when we have reviewed your application.


Good Luck with your Application!


Sincere Regards,

Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund,
Health and Community Directorate,
Community Development Section,
Derry City and Strabane District Council,
98 Strand Road,
Derry,,
BT48 7NN

Good Relations Strategic Priority Fund,
Health and Community Directorate,
Community Development Section,
Derry City and Strabane District Council,
47 Derry Road,
Strabane,
BT82 8DY

Telephone: 02871253253