More info coming soon …

The Global Majority Fund aims to help diverse communities disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 in the UK. Migrant Centre NI was delighted to be able to make fourth round of grants available to support communities experiencing racial inequality across Northern Ireland.

When we talk about communities experiencing racial inequality, we refer to individuals and communities which are usually defined as ‘Black, Asian and minority ethnic’ (BAME), a term widely used by government departments, public bodies, the media and others when referring to ethnic minority groups. The acronym ‘BAME’ may be seen as problematic as it strips away individual identities and assumes we all share the same experiences, challenges and barriers to representation.

The grant funding was possible as we have been chosen as one of the intermediary technical partners with the fund from Comic Relief co-financed by The National Emergencies Trust, The Clothworkers’ Foundation, Barclays and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. 10 specialist charities have been awarded a share of a new £2.8million fund which is set to help hundreds of smaller grass roots projects across the UK that provide vital services to diverse communities at the greatest risk of Covid-19.

Deadline has now passed.

Who was this grant for?

Groups and organisations led by communities experiencing racial inequality or, in other words, BAME-led community groups working in Northern Ireland.

Full guidance notes can be found here: Guidance Notes

What are we going to fund?

We fund projects that mainly focus on work with asylum seekers, refugees and Ukrainian nationals recently arriving to NI.

Some examples of what your funding might support (this is not an exhaustive list): 

  • Support activities that relieve pressure on local statutory services, particularly emergency or health and social care provision, or compliment their response;
  • Immediate response interventions such as foodbanks or other hardship funds;
  • Volunteer costs for new and existing organisations responding to the needs of the communities;
  • Additional support as required for emotional support, mental health and bereavement support.

Please note we limit the number of mobile devices, computers, laptops and tablets to 2 per application. We cannot fund equipment to give out to service users.

How much can I apply for? 

You can apply for a maximum amount of £10,000.

How to apply? 

You should submit a grant expression of interest form online.

Please read the Application Guidance Notes carefully before you apply.

Prepare the questions before filling in the online form by using our: Global Majority Fund Expression of interest form questions.

The expression of interest should give us an idea of what project you would like to deliver or continue. We will also need to know how much you would like to apply for and what that money will be spent on.

Successful groups will be invited to an interview via ZOOM or face-to-face.

The interview / meeting is a conversation about your project. Instead of filling in a traditional application form we will give you a chance to talk about your project and then ask you a few additional questions about the community, organisation and management.

Please note you will not be able to save & return to the form so you might want to take note of the questions and fill it in once you are ready.

Some background

Migrant Centre NI is a registered Charity and a limited company. The organisation was initially established as The Belfast Migrant Centre in 2010 and officially recognised as a charity in March 2012. In 2014, to reflect the work of the organisation the name was changed to the current Migrant Centre NI (MCNI). Our overall aim is to tackle racism and eliminate barriers against new and settled migrant communities across Northern Ireland (NI).

MCNI was established to protect the rights of migrant workers in NI, tackle racism, eliminate barriers against BAME communities, advance education and raise public awareness about their rights. MCNI has 3 offices across NI, in Belfast, Lurgan and Derry~Londonderry.

Comic Relief raises money to support people living incredibly tough lives. Through humour and stories of hope, CR shown that people can make a massive difference. CR funds hundreds of amazing organisations who are working on the ground to support the most vulnerable people and communities in society including many of those hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis. This includes vulnerable children and young people, people who are homeless or living in extreme poverty, women and families at risk of domestic abuse and those struggling with existing or new mental health problems.

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