Developing Women in the Community Programme Phase Three 2025 - 2027

About the Developing Women in the Community Programme Phase Three

This programme will provide women with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to become influencers and take on roles such as leadership and decision making in their communities. It will target women of all ages and be delivered within the community, in areas which have been identified as areas of most need. The programme will also provide the opportunity for participants to partake in a volunteering role within their community and to develop and deliver a small social action project. Provision of Family Support will be a key element of the programme. This will support the women to strengthen structures within their own families by providing guidance and support.

Applicants must have experience of delivering in the local area and be able to identify a minimum of 50 women who would benefit most from the programme. A focus should be given in year two on building and embedding learning and practice from year one, ensuring that the women are equipped to take on roles within their communities. Applicants may employ suitable facilitators to deliver training and provide family support.

The Developing Women in the Community Programme Phase Three modules will include:

Personal

• confidence & self-esteem – boosting confidence, emotional intelligence, motivation and self-respect
• communication skills
• personal development – including essential areas such as confidence building, public speaking, money management
• and any other skill linked to promoting personal growth
• self-awareness – understanding your own identity, rules and biases, to enable you to become more comfortable with new and diverse perspectives

Community

• teamwork & collaboration
• problem solving – help to identify causes, implement solutions and encourage problem prevention  
• leadership
• role of women in community safety
• role of women in peacebuilding

Families

• role of women in families

The training provided will result in personal progression which will reduce individual risk factors, therefore strengthening capacity and confidence to connect with and engage with their communities.

Who can apply?

The following organisations and groups are eligible to apply for funding:

• community/voluntary/women's groups
• charities (registered as a charity with HMRC)
• other ‘not for profit’ organisations
• companies limited by guarantee (registered with Companies House)
• public sector/bodies/agencies

Making an application

Applications can be completed online.

The total cost required from DfC should not exceed £75,000*.

*Subject to budget availability, funding limits may change.

The closing date for applications is 4.00pm on Monday 3 March 2025

Further details can be found in the information and guidance notes.

This funding is for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027.

Applicants should read both the following project specification and information and guidance notes.

Applications to this programme have now closed, the tables below provides details of 8 projects, the Local Government Districts (LGDs) and District Electoral Areas (DEAs) where projects are being delivered and the respective delivery organisations.

Belfast Local Government District

Delivery Organisation	District Electoral Areas (DEAs) for Delivery
Shankill Women’s Centre	Court, Oldpark, Black Mountain
Upper Springfield Development Trust	Black Mountain
Active Communities Network	Court
Poleglass Community Association at Sally Gardens	Collin

Derry & Strabane Local Government District

Delivery Organisation	District Electoral Areas (DEAs) for Delivery
The Churches Trust	Foyleside, Waterside, Sperrin
Shantallow Community Residents Association	Ballyarnett
Gasyard Development Trust	The Moor

Ards & North Down Local Government District

Delivery Organisation	District Electoral Areas (DEAs) for Delivery
Ards Development Bureau & Community Network	Newtownards