£57 Million Boost to Fight Unemployment in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is set to receive a massive £57 million injection to tackle unemployment and get thousands into work. Eighteen projects across the region have won the cash through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), up from the originally announced £42 million.
Major Funding Injection and Wide Support
- About 100 organisations across Northern Ireland will benefit from this funding starting April, focusing on helping people into jobs.
- The UK Government has boosted the fund by an extra £15 million to supercharge the local economy and create more job opportunities.
- Groups receiving help include people with disabilities, women, and young people, all targeted with tailored support to improve skills and secure sustainable employment.
These 18 projects are designed to tackle economic inactivity head-on, helping over 25,000 people move closer to the job market. Charities, community groups, colleges, and businesses are teaming up to ensure support reaches every corner of Northern Ireland.
Top Projects Leading the Charge
- Action Mental Health and partners like Mencap and RNIB will get around £12 million to support 4,500 people with disabilities or health conditions overcome employment barriers.
- Triangle Housing Association secured nearly £4.8 million to provide wrap-around support tailored to women, disabled individuals, and those with mental health or neurodiversity challenges.
- Network Personnel Limited received about £2 million to lift over 1,300 people in areas including Mid Ulster and Derry closer to sustainable jobs or self-employment.
- NIACRO is to get more than £1.5 million to assist 1,500 people with past convictions to find long-term work through mentoring and training.
- Women’s TEC will run the ‘Building Futures’ programme with £872,000 funding aimed at boosting women’s confidence and job prospects in Belfast and rural Newry.
- Extern Northern Ireland will receive £648,000 to mentor young people furthest from the job market in Belfast, Antrim, and Newtownabbey.
Official Reactions: Levelling Up Northern Ireland
Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said:
“We are making the most of opportunities outside the European Union to deliver for people in Northern Ireland.”
“It is fantastic that organisations have come together in new partnerships to deliver creative solutions to economic inactivity through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. I’m delighted to announce an additional £15 million boost to support even more people into fulfilling jobs.”
“This is an important milestone in the investment we are making to level up Northern Ireland and the whole of the UK.”
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris added:
“The £57 million funding will support the vital work of community and voluntary organisations, enabling them to help people in Northern Ireland into secure and sustainable employment.”
“The People and Skills strand of the UKSPF is key to boosting productivity and harnessing Northern Ireland’s growth potential.”
What Happens Next?
Organisations will receive funding notifications and conditions to meet before cash is released. The money represents nearly half of Northern Ireland’s total UKSPF allocation, recognising the region’s high economic inactivity rates compared to the UK average.
This investment follows the UKSPF Investment Plan published last year, which partners developed alongside local councils, businesses, and the voluntary sector. The goal: to boost pride in Northern Ireland, improve life chances, and support long-term economic growth.
