{"id":19460,"date":"2026-04-20T11:10:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T11:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/icarus-web-design.com\/nisf\/?p=19460"},"modified":"2026-04-20T11:34:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T11:34:45","slug":"the-northern-ireland-football-fund-grassroots-facilities-programme-pilot-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/icarus-web-design.com\/nisf\/the-northern-ireland-football-fund-grassroots-facilities-programme-pilot-stage\/","title":{"rendered":"The Northern Ireland Football Fund Grassroots Facilities Programme Pilot Stage"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Northern Ireland Football Fund Grassroots Facilities Programme Pilot Stage<\/h4>\n

The Grassroots Facilities Programme Pilot Stage forms part of The Northern Ireland Football Fund, a long-standing Executive commitment to invest in modernising our local footballing infrastructure.<\/p>\n

The programme<\/h4>\n

The Programme aims to support investment in Grassroots Football Facilities across Northern Ireland. While the Department for Communities develops the full design and scope of a long-term programme, a Pilot Stage is being introduced.<\/p>\n

This Pilot Stage will enable the Department to explore demand and better understand the needs and challenges at grassroots level.<\/p>\n

Importantly, the Pilot Stage gives applicants a direct opportunity to influence the future design of the Programme. The experience, feedback and outcomes from participants will help the Department learn what works best in practice, and shape how the long-term Programme operates.<\/p>\n

Who can apply<\/h4>\n

Applications to the Programme will be made and assessed in two separate streams:<\/p>\n

Stream 1<\/h4>\n

Stream 1 is open to:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Grassroots Football Clubs who are the Owner of the Grassroots Football Facility or Grassroots Football Clubs who intend to become the Owner of the Grassroots Football Facility prior to the issue of a Funding Agreement.<\/p>\n

    and<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. The Owner of a Grassroots Football Facility in partnership with a Partner Grassroots Football Club<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Stream 2<\/h4>\n

    Stream 2 is open to:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      A council which is the Owner of a Grassroots Football Facility to which the application relates<\/p>\n

      and;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \u00a0A council which is the Owner of a Grassroots Football Facility to which the application relates applying in partnership with a Partner Grassroots Football Club.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Objectives<\/h4>\n

      The main objectives of the Grassroots Facilities Programme Pilot Stage are to:<\/p>\n