Community and voluntary organisations across Omagh and the surrounding area will soon have another opportunity to access funding to develop partnerships and projects with organisations elsewhere in the UK.
The Northern Ireland Office’s Connect Fund will reopen for its third round of applications on Monday 2 November 2026, with a total funding pot of £500,000 available.
Eligible organisations can apply for grants ranging from £300 to £50,000 to support projects that strengthen links between communities in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
For charities, community organisations, sports clubs, voluntary groups and other eligible bodies in Omagh and across the wider Fermanagh and Omagh area, the fund could provide an opportunity to develop new partnerships, share expertise and address challenges facing communities in different parts of the UK.
What is the Connect Fund?
The Connect Fund is delivered by the Northern Ireland Office and supports collaboration between community and voluntary organisations in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Projects should focus on developing meaningful East-West relationships and support objectives including:
- building lasting relationships between groups in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK
- developing new approaches to East-West collaboration
- supporting cultural, sporting and people-to-people connections
- developing leadership skills within communities
- encouraging constructive discussion around challenges and opportunities shared by communities across the UK
Previous rounds have supported projects involving youth programmes, cultural initiatives, theatre and music, leadership development and cross-community collaboration.
Organisations considering an application can also view previous successful Connect Fund projects for examples of the types of activities that have received support.
Who can apply?
The fund is aimed at organisations working within the community and voluntary sector and other eligible bodies.
This could make the programme particularly relevant to community groups, charities, sporting organisations, cultural groups and voluntary organisations working throughout Omagh, West Tyrone and the wider Fermanagh and Omagh district.
Applicants will need to demonstrate how their proposed project will build meaningful links between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and deliver benefits for participating communities.
How much funding is available?
Organisations can apply for grants of between £300 and £50,000.
A total of £500,000 will be available through this third round of the programme.
Projects supported through this round are expected to run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028.
Organisations that have previously received support through the Connect Fund are also welcome to apply again.
When do applications open?
Applications will open at 00:01 on Monday 2 November 2026 and close at 5pm on Friday 18 December 2026.
Applications will be submitted through the UK Government’s Find a Grant service.
Updated application guidance and a direct link to the Round 3 application will be published on the official Connect Fund webpage when applications open.
Local organisations considering applying could use the period before 2 November to identify potential partners in Great Britain, develop their project idea and consider how the activity could create a lasting relationship between participating communities.
The Connect Fund has already awarded more than £1 million to 46 projects across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
For organisations in Omagh and the surrounding area, the latest funding round provides another opportunity to secure financial support for collaboration, strengthen community networks and develop projects that reach beyond the local area.
Find out more
Read the Northern Ireland Office announcement on the latest Connect Fund round.
Visit the Connect Fund information and guidance page.
Search and apply for government funding through Find a Grant.
