COVID-19 Crisis Funding for Social Enterprises in Northern Ireland

COVID-19 Crisis Funding for Social Enterprises in Northern Ireland

Funding for social enterprises to cover a shortfall of earnings over the period from March 2020 to August 2020 that resulted directly from the impact of COVID-19.

Social enterprises that are based or operating in Northern Ireland and have been trading for at least a year are invited to apply for a new £7 million COVID-19 crisis fund.

One-off revenue grants will be awarded to stabilise the organisation’s short-term future cashflow needs and to ensure the resilience of their business model in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The maximum grant available is £75,000 and the amount of funding awarded to successful applicants will depend on the individual circumstances. It is expected that the funding will be adequate to allow the organisation to remain viable for a minimum of six months (to the end of March 2021).

Commenting on the launch of the Fund, Minister of Communities, Ní Chuilín said:

“The aim is to balance the urgency required to prevent closure of social enterprises and loss of employment and key services, with the need for effective support to avoid the impacts on people and wider society and preserve a sector which is fit for purpose for the future. I would encourage all social enterprises, no matter how big or small, to apply.”

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 23 October 2020.

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