Ending violence against women and girls in Belfast

Ending violence against women and girls in Belfast

Women and girls should feel, and be, safe everywhere – and we’re working to do what we can to make that happen.

Ending all forms of violence, abuse and harm against women and girls is one of the most pressing challenges facing us today. It is also a priority in the NI Executive’s draft Programme for Government.

In Belfast, we’re supporting the NI Executive to roll out their Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (link opens in new window).

The strategy highlights how violence is never acceptable and that there is something everyone can do to help.

We want to show how Belfast is stepping up to this challenge and is working together to tackle an issue which impacts everyone in our city.

Our work includes:

• Local Change Fund
• Free training for community and voluntary groups
• Personal safety events
• Area events
• Belfast bystander conference 

Local Change Fund

This is a new grant scheme for community and voluntary groups to deliver projects, by 31 March 2026, to end violence against women and girls in Belfast.

Together, the projects will help to change the attitudes, behaviours and culture of violence against women and girls, promote healthy, respectful relationships and help women and girls to feel, and be, safe everywhere.

There are three tiers of funding available:

• Tier 1 – Maximum award £5,000 (groups must have a satisfactory understanding of the issue)
• Tier 2 – Minimum award £5,001. Maximum award £15,000 (groups must have a good understanding of the issue)
• Tier 3 – Minimum award £15,001. Maximum award £25,000 (groups must have a very good understanding of the issue and include mentoring or collaboration as part of their project)

The grants are open from Friday 17 January to Monday 17 February (for Tier 2 and Tier 3) and Friday 28 February (for Tier 1).

Apply for Local Change Fund

Online information sessions will be held on Thursday 23 January (6.30pm to 7pm) and Tuesday 28 January (2pm to 2.30pm) to outline the online application process.

A workshop is also planned for City Hall on Monday 3 February, 10am to 1pm, where groups can hear more about our work to end violence against women and girls in Belfast, meet with others keen to deliver projects and hear more about the funding available and the application process.

To register for this event, email [email protected].

Free training for community and voluntary groups

We are offering free training for Belfast-based community and voluntary organisations who want to better understand the issues around ending violence against women and girls and how they can support this work.

180 places are available between January and March 2025.

Level 1 training will take place at various locations across the city, depending on demand. It is free to attend. It includes: 

• examining root causes of violence against women and girls
• types and cycles of abuse and the impact on the individual
• how to help prevent domestic abuse
• appropriate responses

By the end of the course, participants will have a satisfactory understanding of this complex issue. Level 2 and Level 3 training will also be available for those who complete Level 1.

To register, or for more information, email [email protected].

Personal safety events

Free personal safety events will take place in our community centres in January and February 2025.

These empowering sessions will provide practical self-defence skills and information to improve confidence and self-awareness. They have been organised following feedback from our centre users. 

Try-it events with local martial arts clubs are also planned, so women can continue on with their practice after these first events.

To book your place, email [email protected].

Area events

We are planning a series of area events across Belfast during March 2025, reflecting specific priorities in each part of the city.

These events will be co-designed with local organisations and include input from community groups, advice and women’s centres, working with our area teams and community centre staff.

Further details will be added here once confirmed.

If you’re interested in attending, or supporting this work on behalf of your organisation, email [email protected].

Belfast bystander conference

Following on from a regional conference in 2022, an event is planned for spring 2025, looking at how everyone has a role to play in tackling violence against women and girls.

Planning is underway for this event. It will look at specific projects being delivered in Belfast, lessons learned from the 2022 event and strategies to engage men and boys in helping to end violence against women and girls.

Further details will be added here once confirmed.

For more information, email [email protected].

Help and support

There are a range of agencies and confidential services who can support you if you’re experiencing violence or feel unsafe. Contact details are available from nidirect (link opens in new window)