Advanced SearchCCBC Director welcomes East West Council support
Posted On: 12 Jun 2025
East-West North-South
Anthony Soares, Director at the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, has welcomed the East West Council’s £1 million support for Northern Ireland’s community and voluntary sector.
He said: “The announcement of the establishment of the Connect Fund at today’s meeting of the East-West Council is a welcome move, which addresses a need repeatedly voiced by respondents to the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation’s quarterly surveys on North-South and East-West cooperation.”
The Connect Fund, announced by Northern Ireland Office Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Fleur Anderson, will provide awards from a funding pot of up to £1 million to support groups working in sectors which directly affect Northern Ireland communities, helping them to tackle mutual challenges and opportunities which also affect communities in Great Britain.
The aim is to strengthen East-West connections by developing long lasting civic relationships; support the development of cultural, sports and people links: build leadership capability and facilitate constructive dialogue on shared opportunities and challenges facing UK communities.
Group will be able to bid for between £300 and £50,000.
The East West Council meeting took place just a few hours before the British-Irish Council, and a fortnight after the meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions. These meetings reiterate the Government’s continued commitment to strengthening relations with the Devolved Governments.
The East West Council heard from representatives of Intertrade UK on the body’s draft programme of work to facilitate and boost trade across the UK.
Intertrade UK will advise on opportunities to boost internal trade, accelerate growth in key sectors, options to increase internal trade and skills flows, and look at how to maximise the benefits of international trade and investment across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Information on the Connect Fund is available at https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/connect-fund-1.