Education Minister has launched a call for proposed
projects to strengthen links between schools, pupil's families
and the wider community across twelve RAISE Localities.
Organisations are being asked to submit proposals to enhance
links between pupils' homes, schools and communities in the
twelve RAISE Localities which identified improving these links as
a priority objective in their Strategic Area Plan.
said: “Children and young
people are most likely to learn and achieve their potential when
they are supported. By creating strong community, school and home
connections, we can increase the support available to pupils to
remain engaged in learning and encouraged to reach their goals.
Nowhere is this more important than in areas where deprivation
has created barriers to education.
“The RAISE Programme empowers communities to work together to
address specific challenges that have been identified in
Strategic Area Plans. Informed by the views of children, young
people, parents and carers as well as key stakeholders delivering
services in the locality, they offer a roadmap for organisations
to contribute to a whole community approach to tackling
educational disadvantage.
“The RAISE Home School Community Connections Call will provide
almost £2m of funding for allocation to successful projects
towards building better school, community and home support for
our children and young people in areas where the need for
stronger links is a particular issue. Projects will have a
focus on attendance, supporting parents and removing
barriers.
“I would urge interested organisations to submit proposals which
can deliver positive outcomes for these 12 RAISE Localities,
against the objectives set out within the call documents.”
The twelve RAISE Localities for which proposals are being sought
are;
- Antrim
- Ballymena
- Carrickfergus
- Coleraine
- Derry/Londonderry
- Dungannon
- East Belfast
- Enniskillen
- Millisle and Donaghadee
- Newry
- North Belfast
- South Belfast
Further information on the RAISE Programme including the
Strategic Area Plans and Calls for Locality Led Projects can be
found on the DE website at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/topics/raise-programme-education
Proposals for the RAISE Home School Community Connections Call
must be submitted via the RAISE online platform by 12:00 PM on 22
April 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted. The platform
can be accessed at: https://raise.whole.school/project-bid-form/signup
All applications will be assessed by a panel comprising
Department officials and external experts.
Notes to editors:
1.The RAISE Programme aims to raise educational achievement and
reduce educational disadvantage through a whole community,
place-based approach.
2.The RAISE Programme is funded through the Shared Island Fund
and represents an investment of £20million/€24million over two
years from 2024-2026, with the potential for further funding.