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27/07/2010
NICVA publish bleak forecast for voluntary and community sectors spending cuts
Research commissioned by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, from Oxford Economics and Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland reveals the likely impact of public spending cuts on Northern Ireland.
NICVA Chief Executive Seamus McAleavey said: “This is the most detailed external analysis yet of what is coming down the track and it makes for painful reading. The coming cuts represent the biggest challenge yet for our Executive and it is vital that the correct decisions are made. The choices made now will shape our economy and society for a generation”.
The report examines three potential scenarios for public expenditure cuts:
If made across the board cuts will amount to 8.4% over five years
Ring-fencing health will mean cuts of 15% across other departments
Ring-fencing health and education will mean 22% cuts on everything else.
Read the report in full at www.nicva.org/news/likely-impact-cuts-oxford-economics-and-erini-findings
Attend the first pre-budget consultation event with the Department of Finance and Personnel on Tuesday 10 August. Find out more here: www.nicva.org/events/pre-budget-consultation-event-nicva-members
CAF is currently carrying out a survey of community arts in the region which the sector will be able to use as a lobbying tool. This document will indicate the number of participants, organisations, employees and volunteers involved in community arts, as well it's impact on government priorities (health, education, social inclusion and economy) across all electoral areas. It will be the first document of its kind in the region and will be particularly important in the run up to the forthcoming comprehensive spend review. A strong report will help to make a case for the work and impact of the community arts sector and help to build a case against spending cuts.
20/07/2010
Action plan for Belfast Peace III funding open for consultation
Belfast City Council has developed a plan for the next phase of almost £8m Peace III funding.
A summary of the proposed programmes is available from http://www.grant-tracker.org/news/belfast-makes-plans-almost-%C2%A38m-peace-funding-programmes. The full consultation document and draft action plan are available now at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/goodrelations/peaceIIIconsultation.asp
Responses to this consultation are invited and should be completed no later than 27 August 2010. Responses can be sent either by email or post. Email: peaceiii@belfastcity.gov.uk Post: Niall Eastwood, Room 212, City Hall, Belfast, BT1 5GS
Following the closing date for the consultation on 27 August 2010, all responses will be considered along with any other available evidence to help finalise the local action plan for submission to the Special EU Programmes Body.
20/07/2010
New £700k Arts and Older people funding launched
The Arts and Older People funding programme offers funding to community groups, voluntary groups and arts organisations that want to work with older people in Northern Ireland. The programme aims to develop arts projects on related social issues such as poverty, isolation and loneliness.
The voice of older people should be at the heart of these projects. Innovative, community-led activities focusing on issues identified by older people can be based on any art form, from painting, crafts and filmmaking, to poetry, storytelling, music, carnival, song and dance. The programme can fund up to 100% of project costs.
Organisations can apply for awards from £500 to £50,000. All application forms and guidance notes are available to download at http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/award/older.htm
Closing Date: 4pm Thursday 19th August
06/07/2010
Social Change Awards open for nominations
Social Change Awards celebrates the passionate individuals and effective organisations committed to making a positive impact on society. This change can come about through the everyday actions of one individual, many people pulling together, a local company that cares about their wider community or the thoughtful investment of resources. The awards are fun, informal and inclusive.
The four award categories are:
• Everyday Impact Award
• Influencer Award
• The Great Giving Funders Award
• Life Time Achievement Award
Nominations for the 2010 Awards are now open. The process is simple and can be done online. DSC will produce a shortlist from each category once nominations have closed, and there will be an online public vote to pick the winners. Voting will open once the shortlist has been decided in October.
Further information and nomination forms are available at www.socialchangeawards.org.uk
06/07/2010
Arts & Disability Awards Ireland opens
The Arts & Disability Awards Ireland bursary scheme is now open to support individual disabled artists from any arts discipline to produce new work. Grants of up to £5,000 or the Euro equivalent are available for artists living in Northern Ireland or the RoI.
Application forms and guidelines are available from http://www.adf.ie/awards/
Deadline for applications is 4pm on 9th August 2010.
01/07/2010
Budget announcement and cuts for Northern Ireland
The recently announced UK budget is the toughest in many years. The chancellors announcement of 25% public spending cuts will have far reaching implications across the board in Northern Ireland for many years.
The cuts will affect all publicly funded initiatives including the voluntary and community sector and the arts.
A draft budget outlining public spending for Northern Ireland is expected to be produced for consultation in October. Meaning that the coming months are a crucial time to influence decision makers on priorities and targets.
For more information on budget cuts see www.nicva.org
01/07/2010
Council reforms halted
The biggest shakeup of Northern Ireland’s government in decades - the Review of Public Administration (RPA) – have been called to a halt.
The RPA began in 2002 with the intention of reviewing and overhauling the way local government in Northern Ireland was run, with a series of wide reaching reforms cover all local governance including councils, health bodies and education.
In 2008 it was announced that as part of this reform Northern Ireland’s 26 councils would merge to a smaller number of 11 in an effort to streamline administration with a transfer of certain powers to local government.
It was envisaged that the transfer of powers to the new council structures and elections for them would take place in 2011, but plans have now been put on hold following a meeting held on the 14 June.
It remains to be seen how, when or even if council reform will be implemented. But any proposed council merger will inevitably have implications for community and cultural activities - many of which are supported through various council initiatives.
22/06/2010
Grants scheme for summer diversionary activity
The Community Relation Council is currently processing applications for work engaging young people and adults over the summer months through its Community Relations and Cultural Diversity grants scheme . Support for summer diversionary work with youth or work to reduce tension at interfaces is available.
Further information and application form for the grant scheme can be found at www.community-relations.org.uk/funding/small-grants-criteria/
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