JRCT - Northern Ireland Grants

JRCT - Northern Ireland Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Amount: Up to £152,000
Last Updated: November 05, 2025

Summary

The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) offers grants to support initiatives that foster peace, equality, and human rights in Northern Ireland. Their funding priorities include strengthening human rights and equality, reimagining society, and cultivating peace. They focus on projects that promote inclusive public discourse, encourage non-violent strategies, and address the root causes of violence. Applications are welcomed from local and all-island initiatives that align with these goals, particularly those demonstrating potential for broader impact.

Overview

NOTE: Account registration deadline refers to pre-proposal deadline above. Vision The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust is committed to funding initiatives that advance peace, equality, inclusion, and human rights within Northern Ireland. Our vision is of a Northern Ireland with the following characteristics: A constitutional settlement which takes account of the range of political views of the people of Northern Ireland, Britain and Ireland, and which is underpinned by the principles and values of democracy, human rights and equality. A pluralist political culture which is transparent, responsive, accountable and inclusive of the full breadth and diversity of the population. Effective and democratic mechanisms for managing societal and political difference without recourse to violence. A respectful and inclusive public discourse about the historical conflict in Northern Ireland, which promotes a shared understanding of the root causes of the violence, and a public policy framework which facilitates truth, justice and reconciliation. A cohesive society where diversity is celebrated and cultural heritage is respected, fostering a sense of unity and belonging among all communities in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Funding Priorities The Northern Ireland programme has three priority areas: Strengthening human rights and equality We are interested in funding work which:aims to ensure the implementation of human rights commitments by the statepromotes policy initiatives and advocacy campaigns aimed at achieving equity and inclusion for marginalised or minoritised communitiesstrengthens the anti-racist voice in systems of power and accountability in Northern Ireland. Reimagining society We are interested in funding work which:fosters a positive, forward-thinking political landscape in Northern Ireland, emphasising participation, inclusion and sustainabilitypromotes inclusive, evidence-based and responsible public discoursefacilitates the growth of progressive social movements within Northern Ireland. Cultivating peace and reconciliation We are interested in funding work which:promotes a shared understanding of the root causes of past violenceencourages groups engaged in armed struggle to take steps towards exclusively non-violent strategies and to engage in comprehensive processes of transition from paramilitarism to civilian life.assists communities heavily influenced by paramilitarism in cultivating democratic, anti-sectarian, and non-violent methods for expressing and managing political differences.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. While the primary focus of the programme lies within Northern Ireland, the committee will consider applications for initiatives that work on an all-island basis, or that will strengthen civil society relationships on an East-West or North-South basis (in partnership with organisations in Britain and Ireland).Local work will be supported only where it is likely to have a wider impact, for example if it is testing a model which can then be replicated, or is addressing a local issue that has wider social or political implications.Please note that all applications to JRCT which propose work with a geographical focus on Northern Ireland will be considered through the Northern Ireland programme only.

Ineligibility

The Trust will not fund:Organisations:larger, older national charities which have an established constituency of supporters and substantial levels of reservesstatutory bodiesfor-profit organisationsProjects:medical researchacademic research, except as an integral part of policy and campaigning work that is central to our areas of interestbuilding, buying or repairing buildingsbusiness development or job creation schemesservice provision, including providing care, support or training services, such as for elderly people, children and young people, people with learning difficulties, people with physical disabilities, mental health service users, refugees or asylum seekershousing and homelessnessthe arts, except where a project is specifically concerned with issues of interest to the Trust.Individuals:travel or adventure projectseducational bursaries, including graduate and post-graduate studiesthe personal support of individuals in need.Types of funding:general appealswork which we believe should be funded from statutory sources, or which has been in the recent pastwork which has already been undertakenPlace:the Trust funds individuals or groups based in the UK to undertake work at a national level. This means work that seeks to make positive change across the UK as a whole, or across one or more of its member countries - England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Irelandunder some of our programmes, we make a small number of grants for work at a pan-European level, in relation to international institutions, or to replicate or amplify local work in the UK with wider significance. Please see individual grant policies for detailsthe Trust does not fund local or national work anywhere outside the UK.