A second phase to help end Violence Against Women and Girls has been launched by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council today (Monday 8 December).
The Momentum Fund, forms part of a seven-year strategic framework led by the Northern Ireland Executive Office to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) launched in September 2024.
The framework seeks to address a range of gender-based violence, abuse and harm which is disproportionately experienced by women and girls, and which is rooted in gender inequality.
Since 2020 in Northern Ireland, 28 women have been violently killed, all but one by a man, with 45 confirmed femicides since 2017 and emerging evidence shows that the majority of women and girls have experienced at least one form of gender-based violence abuse and harm, ranging from everyday misogyny, sexual harassment in a public place or workspace to more extreme violence. These numbers highlight a tragic and disproportionate reality for females of all ages.
Through the Momentum Fund, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is offering funding between £1000 and £5000 to help mobilise grassroots action, support innovative delivery and maximise the impact of community-led initiatives. Completed applications must be submitted online no later than 9 January 2026.
The fund is open to a wide range of organisations across community, sports, arts and faith-based sectors to help them raise awareness and help end violence against women and girls across the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area.
The Momentum fund forms part of a wider additional £2.2 million investment over a seven year period. This second phase will see a further £2.2 million shared across all 11 councils to enable them to support EVAWG action in their local areas.
The Fund focuses on three key outcomes:
- Change the attitudes, behaviours and culture of violence against women and girls
- Promote healthy, respectful relationships
- Help women and girls feel and be safe everywhere
Councillor Tim Mitchell, Communities and Wellbeing Chair, said “The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls framework and initiatives like the Momentum Fund are vital steps in building a community where everyone feels safe and respected. I urge all eligible groups across our council area to come forward with their ideas and take advantage of this funding opportunity to make a real and lasting difference.”
Councillor Alan Martin, PCSP Chair said: "The continued high level of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland, is appalling. The Momentum Fund focuses on prevention, giving people the tools to know what violence against women and girls is and how to take action against it. The second phase of Momentum Fund, will give our local community organisations opportunities to play their part in helping to end the epidemic of violence against women and girls.”
This initiative is a continued focus on initiatives by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council as part of the EVAWG Strategic Framework.
The Council welcomes applications from a wide range of organisations across the community, sports, arts and faith-based sectors, please visit, https://www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/w/ending-violence-against-women-and-girls-momentum-fund for further clarification on grant information sessions, eligibility criteria, application guidance notes and the EVAWG campaign.