Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has approved £1.8 million in core grant funding for 76 community and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland for 2026/27, pending financial checks. The allocation covers 70 full awards and six partial ones from 247 applications.

The scheme doubled recipients from 26 organisations funded in 2025/26 through restructuring into four policy areas, each with £450,000. These areas target public health and health inequalities, independent living for adults with disabilities, support for vulnerable children and families, and mental health and wellbeing.

Nesbitt noted departmental budget constraints limited total funding but enabled broader distribution to aid smaller groups facing cost challenges. He emphasised the sector's contributions to communities and instructed officials to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants in coming weeks.

A further application round opens this autumn for funding starting April 2027. Among recipients, seven organisations in Derry/Londonderry advanced: Women’s Centre Derry, Stage Beyond Theatre Company, Derry Youth and Community Workshop Ltd., Rainbow Child and Family Centre, The Churches Trust Ltd., COS for Autism Families, and Youthlife.

Youthlife plans to maintain counselling services for children and young people aged five to 25 affected by bereavement, separation, or loss of a significant person. Belfast organisation Engage with Age aims to address social isolation among older people.