Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network (NIRWN) and Rural Community Network (RCN) are currently delivering a community-led research project exploring how women and girls living in rural Northern Ireland experience safety, support, and access to services in relation to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). This research examines how rural life — including living in small […]
B\&Q Foundation – Home Improvement Fund & Home‑Starter Kits Amount available: Home Improvement Fund: up to £10,000 Home‑Starter Kits Fund: up to £10,000 (max £500 per kit) Who can apply: Registered UK charities supporting people experiencing homelessness. Deadline: 20 February 2026, 6pm. Kew Grow Wild Youth Grant Amount available: £500 Who can apply: Young people […]
You can read the latest update here Lobbying, Policy and Research Bulletin from the WRC
Nature is in decline across the world and DAERA has a duty to publish a Biodiversity Strategy to help the conservation of biodiversity in Northern Ireland. This draft Nature Recovery Strategy (which is the Biodiversity Strategy required by legislation) sets out how DAERA intend to meet international and national ambitions in Northern Ireland. The lifespan […]
NIRWN Executive Director Louise Coyle signed the open letter on behalf of our membership of rural women. Women Breaking Barriers rural team Leon Hughes and Jacqui Clancy, together with our Engagement Officer Paula McAliskey joined our urban Project partners WRDA, Women’s Support Network and Reclaim the Agenda on the steps of Stormont recently to stand […]
NI Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 The Northern Ireland Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 aims to improve the lives of people who are Deaf and disabled people, their families and carers so that they can play a full and active role in all aspects of society. There have been some issues around this consultation with some of […]
Women’s Support Network Policy Worker, Siobhán Harding has completed a series of focus groups with women across Northern Ireland for the next Consortium research paper ‘Mental Health Matters for Women’. The focus groups involved 67 women in total and 60 women completed questionnaire returns. The aim of the research was to highlight a number of […]
WOMEN’STEC are absolutely delighted and incredibly grateful to Community Finance Ireland for the generous donation of ten newly refurbished PCs. These amazing new tools will support women across Northern Ireland to build digital skills, confidence, and career opportunities. This fantastic initiative was piloted by Nick Heath from Community Finance Ireland, who worked in partnership with […]
Charmain had the privilege of attending “In the Midst of Trauma – A Collective Journey” at Corrymeela. This was a powerful and deeply reflective space bringing together practitioners who work cross community and cross border on peacebuilding, community relations and trauma-informed practice. Across the day she explored: 🕊️ Trauma-informed and rights-based approaches to peacebuilding 🗣️ […]
Paula represented NIRWN at the All-Party Group on Disability in Stormont where the new Draft Disability Strategy was presented by DfC Minister Gordon Lyons. The Strategy is currently out for consultation and closes at 5pm on Friday 20th March. NIRWN would encourage our members to contribute their views on this document to ensure […]
