Dormant Assets £3.6m investment to strengthen community sector

Network and anchor organisations across Northern Ireland are receiving funding to allow them to provide better support and build the capacity of small community groups.

The investment of £3,551,950 is being made to 25 network and anchor organisations through Dormant Assets funding which is being delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund with the Department of Finance. See full list of all Access to Resilience grants awarded.

Around 500 small community and under-represented groups across Northern Ireland, that are less likely to get practical help with things like governance and financial planning will be supported with the funding.

Christine O’Kane, U3A Foyle, David Hammerton, Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Sector Network, Elaine Kelly, Engagement Manager, Age NI, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Finance Minister, Kellie Turtle, Head of Policy and Engagement, Age NI, Linda Robinson, Chief Executive, Age NI, Willmer Hutchinson, Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Sector Network, Angelina Cooper, Ally Foyle, Dr Raymond Mullan, Chair, Age NI and Kate Beggs, NI Director, The National Lottery Community Fund. As part of the announcement, The Finance Minister met with representatives from Age NI and Age Sector Networks to hear more about the difference the funding will make to groups across Northern Ireland.

Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund said: “The aim of Dormant Assets is to strengthen organisations by building their capacity and making them more fit for the future. We know that smaller community and volunteer-led organisations need the help of network or anchor organisations to do this which is why we have made this investment to boost the invaluable work that they do.

“We are fortunate to have Dormant Assets to build the capacity, resilience and sustainability of the Community and Voluntary Sector in Northern Ireland. We will be engaging with the sector in the coming months about the next phase of Dormant Assets.”

One of the groups awarded is Age NI, who received a £149,380 grant to build the capacity of Age Sector Networks to better support groups working with older people across Northern Ireland.

Linda Robinson BEM, Chief Executive of Age NI said: “Age NI provides infrastructure support to age sector networks which, in turn, supports older people and groups in local communities across Northern Ireland.

“We are delighted to receive this much needed funding from Dormant Assets NI to deliver our leadership and capacity building programme to emerging and existing age sector leaders.

Through this programme our aim is to develop skills and capabilities within the age sector, encourage partnership working and enhance the sustainability of the important work they do.”

Speaking at a visit to Age NI today as part of the announcement, Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald added: “Community and voluntary organisations play an important role in delivering vital services and providing support for some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society, including older people.

“The funding being provided by the Dormant Asset fund, and being delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund and my department, will help to further grow capacity within the third sector and ensure 500 small community grass root organisations can continue to provide practical support to people right across our communities.

"I was pleased to be able to meet with representatives today from the Age Sector Networks who will benefit from this funding and hear first-hand how the support from Age NI will make a difference to their groups.”

Dormant Assets NI funding is supporting the VCSE sector to be more resilient and prepared for the long-term future and comes from UK bank and building society accounts and other assets such as insurance and pensions that have been untouched for 15 or more years, where customers cannot be traced.

Access to Resilience from Dormant Assets NI grants awarded

Access to Resilience grants awarded tables 15 Jan 2024 (DOCX 155 KB)

Date published: 15 January, 2025
Region: Northern Ireland

Notes to Editors

The Dormant Assets NI money comes from Dormant Assets, UK bank and building society accounts and other assets such as insurance and pensions that have been untouched for 15 or more years, where customers cannot be traced.

The Reclaim Fund releases funds from Dormant Assets to The National Lottery Community Fund for distribution to good causes across the UK.

Through policy direction from the Department of Finance, in Northern Ireland, this money supports the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector to build capacity and become more sustainable.

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest non-statutory community funder in the UK. They support activities that create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable that will strengthen society and improve lives. They are proud to award money raised by National Lottery players and work closely with Government to distribute other grants and funding from key programmes and initiatives.

Access to resilience

We want network or support organisations to improve access to the help they provide to small, underrepresented community groups in Northern Ireland.

Dormant Accounts NI

Dormant Accounts Fund NI supports the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Northern Ireland to be more resilient and prepared for the future by funding activity that increases capacity and sustainability.