Start a social enterprise

A wide range of financial schemes and support programmes are available to help social enterprises start, grow and increase their impact.

Current support schemes for launching and expanding social enterprises include:

Think It

Funding of up to £5,000 for new or early-stage organisations and social enterprises working within Housing Executive communities.

Find out more about the Think It.

Boost It

Funding of up to £10,000 for developing social enterprises or organisations with clear plans for growth.

Find out more about the Boost It.

Grow It

Funding of up to £35,000 for established organisations or social enterprises seeking to scale or diversify their activities.

Find out more about the Grow It.

RiSE

The Unlocking the Potential of Rural Innovation and Social Enterprise (RiSE) project is a cross-border initiative designed to help rural communities discover how social enterprises can drive sustainability and growth.

Participating groups will share knowledge and gain practical support in areas such as income generation, sustainability, and expanding access to community services.

Find out more about the RiSE.

Creative Communities on a Shared Island Fund

This programme is for local authorities, Culture and Creativity Teams in Ireland, in partnership with local or national community, social enterprises and cultural and creative organisations working with north-south and/or east-west (Ireland-Britain) partners.

Find out more about the Creative Communities on a Shared Island Fund.

Seeding Grants

Grants to assist with set up, programme and running costs of newly formed community/voluntary groups.

Find out more about the Seeding Grants.

Community Bursary Scheme 2025/26

The Community Bursary Scheme supports individuals to access routes to community development/education, sports, music, language and/or culture opportunities.

Find out more about the Community Bursary Scheme 2025/26.

Connect Fund

The Connect Fund offers up to £1 million to support partnerships between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. It aims to tackle shared challenges and create new opportunities that benefit communities in Northern Ireland.

Applicants can bid for projects from £300 to £50,000. Funding can be provided for both standalone projects and for a more recurrent project.

Find out more about the Connect Fund.

Grants for Good

The programme offers unrestricted funds that organisations that are making a big impact on communities, people, or the environment. Funding can be used for any of their costs, including core running costs.

Find out more about the Grants for Good.

Funding Futures Programme

The Funding Futures Programme aims to harness the power of young people to find solutions for those who have been sidelined by the financial system.

Through funding and a package of support, the programme will give young people the power to make their communities fairer places to live.

Find out more about the Funding Futures Programme.

Social Enterprise Thematic Programme

Support is offered for social enterprises to elevate their skills through one-on-one mentoring and online workshops, focusing on fundraising, digital marketing, and social impact planning.

Find out more about the Social Enterprise Thematic Programme.

Social Enterprise Bootcamp

Bespoke mentoring and exclusive workshops is provided to help enhance the skills of social enterprises which are actively trading with ambitions to grow.

Find out more about the Social Enterprise Bootcamp.

Social Enterprise and Co-operative Support

Assistance is available for individuals or groups interested in starting a new social enterprise or co-operative, or for organisations currently relying on funding and wanting to explore moving to a social enterprise or co-operative model.

Find out more about the Social Enterprise and Co-operative Support.

Growth Impact Fund

The Growth Impact Fund is for all social purpose organisations operating in consumer business, education and learning, employment and training, and health and social care.

Find out more about the Growth Impact Fund.

Harnessing Heritage Programme

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) helps communities across the UK find enterprising new ways to revitalise old buildings through advice, grants, and social investment loans.

Find out more about the Harnessing Heritage Programme.

Village Catalyst Programme

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) funds the Village Catalyst Programme, an innovative partnership scheme aiming to help target rural poverty and social isolation via the reuse of historic buildings.

Find out more about the Village Catalyst Programme.

Millennium Awards Trust

The Millennium Awards are open to any social entrepreneur aged 16 years and older tackling a range of social issues.

Find out more about the Millennium Awards Trust.

National Lottery Awards for All Northern Ireland

The National Lottery Awards for All Northern Ireland provides funding from £300 to £20,000 to support community-led projects for up to two years.

Find out more about the National Lottery Awards for All Northern Ireland.

Community Finance Ireland Loan

The Community Finance Ireland Loan is available to social enterprises, community projects and sports clubs across all of Ireland.

Find out more about the Community Finance Ireland Loan.

PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme

Funding to support the implementation of projects through a small grants programme.

Various organisations are eligible to apply, including voluntary sector organisations. Organisations that operate for private profit are not eligible to apply.

Find out more about the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme.

Open Grants Programme

The Clothworkers' Foundation now accept applications for the Open Grants Programme, open to UK registered charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs), social enterprises and other registered UK not-for-profit organisations.

Find out more about the Open Grants Programme.

Business finance and support finder

Use the Northern Ireland Business Support Finder to identify publicly funded support tailored to your needs. It lists grants, loans, advice services and other forms of assistance.

Search the Northern Ireland business support finder.