Change Fund Launched to Help End Violence Against Women and Girls

Following the Northern Ireland Executive's launch of a strategic framework for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG), Ards and North Down Borough Council launched the Change Fund during a recent EVAWG panel discussion that was held at Clandeboye Lodge.

The NI Executive's framework outlines a seven-year strategy to address the entire range of gender-based violence, abuse and harm which is disproportionately experienced by women and girls, and which is rooted in gender inequality. As part of this framework, Ards and North Down Borough Council, together with other councils across Northern Ireland, is delivering the Change Fund - a grants programme for community and voluntary organisations.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said:

"The EVAWG panel discussion provided the ideal opportunity to launch the Change Fund in Ards and North Down. Over 100 people attended the event, including councillors, statutory representatives, plus a range of community and voluntary organisations and interested individuals. The discussion explored the key issues involved in EVAWG and highlighted how serious the problem is.

"Violence against women and girls is an issue that can be hidden in plain sight, and it affects the lives of women and girls whether they live, learn and work. The Change Fund will help our community to collectively address these issues and deliver change by enabling community and voluntary organisations of all shapes and sizes to play their part in ending violence against women and girls. It encourages local organisations and groups to seek funding for projects that will raise awareness and focus on the prevention of this violence. I look forward to seeing many new projects and interventions taking place with support from the Fund."

Applications are open and must be submitted by 4pm on Thursday 3 April. More details, including application forms and guidance notes, are available from Ending Violence Against Women and Girls - Ards and North Down Borough Council

Photo caption Back row (L-R): Claire Edgar (Solicitor specialising in Family Law), Sheila Simons (former Social Worker from Safeguarding Division), Claire McCollum (BBC presenter and event facilitator), Emalyn Turkington (CEO of North Down & Ards Women's Aid). Front row (L-R): Gillian Robinson (local representative), Mayor Alistair Cathcart and Lindsay Fisher (Head of PSNI's Public Protection Branch).