Sports representative, individual and teams grants for 2025/26 remain open. Visit the portal to apply.
To access your 2025/26 grants visit the portal.
Community Investment Programme 2026-2029
Building Stronger, Safer and More Inclusive Communities
Mid Ulster District Council has launched a redesigned Community Investment Programme to support and strengthen the community and voluntary sector across the district.
The programme opens on Monday 24 November 2025, offering a simpler and more outcomes-focused approach to funding.
It provides financial support for projects and initiatives that make a real difference to local people — helping communities to be:
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Stronger and more confident
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Less disadvantaged or affected by poverty
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Safer
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More shared and inclusive
What’s New?
This refreshed programme brings together 17 previous grant schemes into 5 main funding categories, creating a more streamlined, flexible system that reflects community need and supports long-term planning.
The changes are based on feedback from community and voluntary groups, who asked for:
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Multi-annual funding to improve stability and planning
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Simplified applications and proportionate monitoring
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Advance payments to support cash flow
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Recognition of the community sector’s role in achieving local outcomes
Funding Categories
1. Community Development Grants (up to £5,000)
Supports community organisations delivering a programme of activity over one to three years, based on evidence of local need. Activities should link to the priorities of the area where they are delivered. Monitoring and evaluation will be required.
Click to read the guidance notes for Community Development Grants
2. Strategic Events Grants (up to £8,000)
For large-scale community festivals or events (over 2,000 attendees) with regional reach. Events should use culture, arts and leisure to promote equality, tackle poverty, and encourage social inclusion.
Click to read the guidance notes for Strategic Events Grants
3. Irish Language Activity Grants (up to £6,000)
Supports initiatives that promote the Irish language in Mid Ulster, in line with the Council’s Irish Language Strategy. Funding can support programmes over one to three years.
Click to read the guidance notes for Irish Language Activity Grants
4. Community Infrastructure Capital Investment
Funding for capital projects (up to £50,000) and feasibility studies (up to £10,000 for Pitches Strategy Grants only). Projects must show clear local need, address gaps in provision, and demonstrate how facilities will contribute to community outcomes.
Click to read the guidance notes on Community Infrastructure Grants
Click to read guidance notes on Pitches Feasibility Study Grant
Click to read guidance notes on Pitches Infrastructure Grant
5. Bursaries (up to £500)
Available for individuals or teams participating in sports representation or regional and minority language courses.
Click to read the guidance notes on Regional and Minority Languages Bursaries
Click to read the guidance notes on Sports Representative Bursaries
Funding Cycles
Community Development, Strategic Events and Irish Language Activity Grants will operate on a three-year funding cycle, subject to annual monitoring and budget confirmation.
Note: Submitting a one-year application does not guarantee access to further funding within the same three-year cycle.
Community Infrastructure Capital Investment Grants and Bursaries will continue to open on an annual basis.
Who Can Apply
The programme is open to constituted community and voluntary sector organisations based within the Mid Ulster District Council area.
Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed activity or project will contribute to the Council’s Strategic Outcomes.
Key Dates
Applications Open: 9.00am Monday 24 November 2025
Pre-Application Workshops: November, December 2025 and January 2026
Applications Close: 12noon Friday 20 February 2026
Pre-Application Workshops
The Council will host a series of workshops in November and December 2025 and January 2026 to help groups prepare strong, outcome-focused applications.
These sessions will:
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Explain eligibility and assessment criteria
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Guide applicants through the new process
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Provide advice on aligning projects with local priorities
Sessions will take place on:
How to Apply
1. Review the funding guidance notes above for your chosen category.
2. Register and attend a pre-application workshop if possible.
3. Complete the online application form via the Grants Portal available from 24 November 2025.
4. Submit your application by 12pm on Thursday 20 February 2026.
If you require support with your application, please contact The Community Development Team:
Email: communitydevelopment@midulstercouncil.org
Telephone: **03000 132 132** Ext 23014
Grant Aid Programme
Community and Voluntary Sector Governance
The proper governance of local Community and Voluntary Sector organisations is a necessary requirement for any group wishing to access publicly supported grant aid to ensure there is openness, transparency and accountability.
The Council have linked with Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) to provide advice, information and practical support on a wide range of matters from charity regulations to dealing with governance issues of management committees.
A list of grant recipients for Community Grant Aid 2025-2026 has now been published.
A list of grant recipients (up to July 2024) has now been published.
A full list of grant recipients was published for 2023 - 2024.