Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Change Fund

We have been working with the Northern Ireland Executive on the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Strategic Framework to bring together a whole of society and whole of government response to address this issue which impacts the lives of far too many women and girls across our society.

With help from the Northern Ireland Executive we offered funding of up to £25,000 through the Change Fund to support community groups to change the attitudes, behaviours and culture of violence against women and girls;  promote healthy, respectful relationships and help women and girls feel and be safe everywhere.

See below the successful organisations and details of their projects.

This grant has now closed. 

Women’s Aid ABCLN provides confidential support, information and emergency accommodation for women and children affected by domestic abuse across Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey. 

Project

Heading for Healthy Relationships

Women’s Aid ABCLN’s Heading for Healthy Relationships schools programme will deliver preventative education workshops to Year-7 pupils in all primary schools across Antrim and Newtownabbey equipping children and young people with the knowledge and skills to have healthy, respectful relationships. The programme explores the dynamics of healthy relationships, and will strengthen young people’s understanding of domestic abuse, coercive control and age-appropriate consent. It will equip schools to lead the way and create change to End Violence Against Women and Girls, ensuring all young people know any type of violence, abuse or harm in their relationships is never acceptable.

Naomh Séamas CLG was established in 1906. Our vision is that the GAA is a community based volunteer organisation, promoting Gaelic games, culture, and lifelong participation. Naomh Séamas offers the local community the opportunity to be welcomed to take part in our games and culture, to participate fully, to grow and develop and to be inspired to keep a lifelong engagement with our association.  

Project 

Naomh Séamas are offering all members of the community the opportunity to be a part of the change in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. The club aims to provide information sessions for parents/ carers and then a programme of workshops for both our ladies and men’s senior teams and for our younger players, focusing on a number of areas, such as, healthy relationships. Our aim is to support our young people to identify the attitudes and behaviours that lead to gender based inequality and violence.

Open 6 days a week including school holidays, Monkstown Boxing Club’s purpose is to help young people grow to be happy, healthy, and successful adults. Our boxing, fitness and youth space’s provide young people with a range of activities, giving them the opportunity to try new things, meet new friends and gain support from passionate and positive youth workers and volunteers.

Project

“#InHERCorner” is a transformative initiative committed to addressing violence against women and girls by fostering resilience, self-awareness, and education.  Through a multi-faceted approach, that combines physical empowerment, relationship exploration, interactive workshops, and direct engagement with both young women and men, the project aims to address the issue holistically. The Change Fund will enable the “In HER Corner” project to continue exploring the experiences of women and girls while challenging harmful attitudes, behaviours, and societal norms among young men, deepen understanding of violence and its root causes.  Central to this effort is a collaboration with White Ribbon NI to implement a "Train the Trainer" programme, equipping Monkstown Boxing Club’s Youth Workers with the tools to raise awareness and build capacity within local communities.

Beam Creative Network is an arts organisation dedicated to using creative arts to inspire learning, communication, and community engagement.

We design and deliver high-quality programmes across Northern Ireland, using drama, storytelling, film, animation, music, and visual arts to explore important social issues.

With over 23 years of experience, we have engaged more than 300,000 people through projects addressing themes such as anti-bullying, conflict resolution, diversity, inclusion, and environmental awareness.

Our work creates employment for artists, supports community development, and promotes meaningful conversations through the power of the arts.

Project

The RISE (Respect, Inspire, Support, Empower) project will deliver 13 Changing Attitudes and Behaviours workshops and 13 Healthy Relationships workshops, engaging approximately 325 young people in post-primary schools across the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area.

These interactive sessions will use drama, discussion, and activity-based learning to challenge harmful attitudes and promote respectful, healthy relationships, with a strong focus on preventing violence against women and girls.

Our engaging delivery approach promotes open discussion, creating a safe space for participants to explore themes of sexism, respect, and relationships.

In collaboration with Raise Your Voice, we will equip young people with essential knowledge on reporting incidents of violence or harassment.

Together, we will co-design and distribute age-appropriate postcards featuring key messages and details of local support services, ensuring lasting impact beyond the workshops.

MPDA are a community support charity based in the Ballycraigy Ward.  We offer a range of support services to those living in the local community and wider areas of Antrim. 

Project

As part of MPDA’s community support programme this year, we will be supporting the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Project.  Starting in May 2025, MPDA will be working in partnership with Domestic Abuse charities to deliver an awareness programme within MPDA Community Hub.  The programme will be delivered through a poster campaign that encourages safe discussion and also through workshops aimed at both young people and adults.

Cinemagic is an organisation with international networks and a worldwide reputation for excellence in children’s and youth programming. 40,000 young people (aged 4-25) participate in Cinemagic events in the UK, Ireland, USA and Middle East annually. Since it was established Cinemagic has engaged with 1 million young people. Our festivals and film production projects have received international acclaim for their ambition, quality and reach. Cinemagic embraces the magic of film, television and digital technologies and offers young people the chance to develop skills, explore opportunities, and reaffirm their belief in what they want to do and their own ability to achieve it.

Project

Collaboration with Antrim and Newtownabbey Council to create a short film raising awareness of violence against women, involving 20 local youth, and using the film as a tool for education, discussion, and cultural change.

Community Sports Network (CSN) is a leading Sport for Development organisation dedicated to using sport as a tool for social change, health promotion, and community development. We deliver innovative programmes that engage people of all ages and backgrounds, promoting inclusion, wellbeing, and personal development through sport and physical activity. Our work spans schools, community groups, and marginalised populations, ensuring access to meaningful opportunities that improve lives.

Project

Sporting Change is an innovative project aimed at engaging men and boys through sport to promote positive attitudes and behaviours that help end violence against women and girls. In partnership with White Ribbon NI, the programme combines sports activities with interactive workshops to challenge harmful social norms, encourage healthy relationships, and foster a culture of respect. Through five 10-session programmes, we will work with schools, community groups and sports teams to drive real, lasting change.