A new £100,000 fund will support women from Northern Ireland's
community and voluntary sector to influence positive change, by
equipping them with the skills to represent their views and
experience to policy decision makers in Government.
The Northern Ireland Office's (NIO) Engagement for Change Fund,
which will run over three years, was announced by NIO Lords
Spokesperson and Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet
Office Baroness Ruth Anderson following a series of
International Women's Day engagements in Northern Ireland.
The Fund will help community leaders of all genders develop and
enhance the leadership and advocacy skills necessary to promote
and advocate for the critical work they deliver, and the
communities they support. It will also include a specific focus
on supporting more women into the public forum.
The announcement is the latest NIO initiative to support local
communities. It builds on the success of the Connect Fund, which
has so far awarded £500,000 to community and voluntary
organisations across Northern Ireland, and the £1 million
Community Partnership Fund, to strengthen and empower Northern
Ireland's voluntary sector and grassroots community
organisations.
A key focus of the Engagement for Change Fund will be to support
women's participation in the forums of public debate, countering
underrepresentation.
A single community organisation will be appointed to provide
upskilling on Northern Ireland's policy landscape, effective
communication, advocacy and network building, engagement with
traditional and social media, and how to collect and use robust
data and evidence. As part of the wider programme, the successful
applicant will include a workstream on addressing barriers to
women's participation.
Ahead of International Women's Day, Baroness Anderson visited
Strathearn School where she welcomed questions on a career in
politics from young, female politics students.
She also hosted an International Women's Day networking event
with women from across Northern Ireland's community and voluntary
sector.
Baroness Anderson then travelled to Shankill Shared Women's
Centre, where she engaged with participants from the Change
Makers programme for women who want to get involved in community
development, advocacy or politics.
Baroness Anderson said:
“This year's International Women's Day theme is ‘Give to Gain,'
so I'm delighted that the NIO's new Engagement for Change Fund
will support women's representation and participation in
decision-making at the highest level.
“Women have always played a critical role in Northern Ireland's
progress, leading their families and communities and influencing
positive change.
“Ensuring that their voices continue to be heard and their
knowledge and experience is at the forefront of decision making
is vital to ensuring a positive and inclusive future for Northern
Ireland.”
In the coming months, the NIO will work closely with the
voluntary and community sector to develop the Engagement for
Change Fund, ensuring it will provide targeted and needs-based
support.
Later in the year, the fund will invite applications from
established voluntary sector organisations to deliver a
programme, which must include a dedicated workstream or module to
address the specific barriers and challenges women face in
accessing and thriving within the public forum.
Following a competitive process, £100,000 will be provided
to a single suitable and qualified delivery organisation to
deliver programming over three years.
The Fund is reflective of the UK Government's Civil Society
Covenant commitments. It will promote participation and inclusion
and involve people in decisions that affect their lives, ensuring
their voices are heard and barriers to democratic participation
are removed.
