Discretionary Awards

Grants of up to £10,000 are now available for groups to develop community capacity.

Groups are encouraged to avail of a new 'crisis' grant opportunity under the Urban II Programme. These small grants (up to £10,000) are designed to help groups who cannot secure funding from any other source for an activity which is crucial to the resolution of a problem experienced across the North Belfast area.

Projects must therefore be able to demonstrate the following:

• All other suitable funding opportunities have been exhausted
• The inability to access funds will have an adverse impact on the Urban II area
• Exceptional action is required to ensure a resolution of the issue

Preference will be given to applications which can demonstrate

• The proposed activity will have a strategic impact across all communities in the Urban II target area
• The funding is required for a discrete element within a planned programme of activity for which other funds are being sought and the Discretionary Award will have a positive leverage effect.

This assistance is not designed to address shortfall requirements or gaps in funding from other sources. Applications of this nature, for example a contribution to ongoing core costs, will be refused support.

Please note that new applications to Discretionary Awards will not be assessed until December 2005. This is a direct consequence of staff resources being diverted to maximise "N+2".

To apply for this award in December 2005, click here to download an application form or contact Jonathan Kirkpatrick on 028 9075 2990 or email j.kirkpatrick@nthbp.org.