Bank of Ireland has announced the latest round of funding from its flagship community investment initiative, the Community Fund.

Delivered in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, the programme is allocating £435,500 in grants to community organisations across the island of Ireland.

The funding is aimed at supporting groups that are disproportionately affected by some of the most pressing social challenges facing Irish society today. These include individuals and families living in or at risk of poverty, older people, those experiencing homelessness, and survivors of domestic abuse. The LGBTQ+ community, traveller and Roma communities, as well as migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, are also among those set to benefit from the grants.

The selection of supported groups was informed by research and data from Community Foundation Ireland and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

Among the projects awarded grants in Northern Ireland, which will range from just over £8,000 to more than £68,000, are:

• Advice NI: The Belfast-based organisation will receive multi-year funding to recruit and train Digital Champions from among refugees and those seeking asylum to help foster social inclusion, independence, and access to vital services.

• Young Enterprise NI: To create inclusive, accessible tools and resources to support young people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland, helping them develop life, financial and enterprise skills.

• Bolster for Seniors Living Well & Thriving: To offer friendship, signposting, resources, companionship and connection to older people across the Newry and Mourne area. Bolster will serve as a conduit with and between vulnerable seniors, key government and community agencies, and the wider community to better inform, connect and support those in need. • Fermanagh Rural Community Initiative: To work to build digital skills and confidence within disadvantaged communities, ensuring they have the capacity to access relevant services and enjoy an improved quality of life.

Gail Goldie, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Ireland, said: "For six years, our Community Fund has partnered with Community Foundation Ireland to provide funding to those most in need in our society. I am proud of the support we provide to groups doing vital work on so many of society's critical issues.

"This year, our focus has been on projects that promote greater inclusion, equipping people with essential skills and creating connections through education, enterprise, or employment.

"These grants will help organisations expand their work among their service users and also plan for future initiatives. I wish all the community groups the best as they deliver the newly funded projects."

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland added: "Our partnership with the Bank of Ireland Community Fund continues to deliver support to groups and communities in greatest need. We use our experience as a philanthropic hub with a network of voluntary, community and charitable partners across the island of Ireland to assist in the identification of projects which are responding to existing as well as new and emerging challenges.

"As a long-standing partner, Bank of Ireland continues to show its strong commitment to be an active member and a supporter of groups transforming lives every day. We congratulate the latest awardees and look forward to hearing the progress of their valuable work."

A full list of 2025 Community Fund grantees is available to view on the Bank of Ireland website: Begin Together Fund – Bank of Ireland.