A Northern Irish MP has called on the UK government to clarify the future of EU replacement funding for the community and voluntary sector in a speech made last week.
Sorcha Eastwood made the statement after meeting with the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) to discuss the future of shared prosperity funding.
The Shared Prosperity Fund was previously announced by the UK government as a replacement for EU funding following Brexit.
However, this funding expires in seven months’ time, meaning that many organisations in the community and voluntary sector have had jobs placed in jeopardy.
‘Real fear’ among charities
Eastwood, who became MP for Lagan Valley earlier this year and is a member of the centrist Alliance Party, said: “I recently wrote to minister for housing, communities and local government Angela Rayner to outline my concerns on the impending deadline for this funding.
“Today’s meeting with NICVA has just reiterated those concerns – there is a real fear among many organisations in the sector about what will happen in seven months and how many jobs may be affected.
“The community and voluntary sector plays a vital role in Northern Ireland, touching on most aspects of life, so we must do all we can to protect it and gain answers for workers within it.
“This fund had been billed as a replacement for EU funds but that has not been the case. Urgent clarity is needed before a cliff edge rapidly approaching gets any closer.”
‘Consequences could be catastrophic’
Celine McStravick, chief executive of NICVA, said: “NICVA has long been calling for urgent clarity on the future of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF), which is set to end in March 2025.
“The voluntary and community sector plays a key role in delivering UKSPF programmes throughout Northern Ireland. Without extended or replaced funding, the consequences could be catastrophic.
“In the voluntary and community sector, this funding currently supports 59 organisations delivering support to over 11,500 people, through 688 full and part time staff members.
“Without a transition fund or long-term solution, these organisations will face a funding cliff edge, leading to a loss of skilled staff and significant negative impacts on those who rely on these essential services, further marginalising them from the labour market.
“We urgently need decisive action from the UK government to secure the sustainability of these vital organisations and the people they support. The clock is ticking.”
‘Crucial for communities across the UK’
Beyond Northern Ireland, Rebecca Young, policy and insight lead at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), expressed concern for the unctertainity for the community and voluntary sector across the UK.
“We strongly support the need for clarity on the future of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is crucial for communities across the UK,” said Young.
“It is vital that the government commits to extending the fund beyond 2025 to avoid a funding gap that could severely impact the vital services provided by voluntary organisations.
“This funding plays a critical role in enabling charities to deliver essential support to those who are most in need, particularly in helping people who are furthest from the labour market re-engage with work and their communities. The fund has been key in driving growth and building stronger communities.
“We’re calling on the government to work closely with the voluntary sector and other partners to make sure there’s a smooth transition to a well-designed successor fund, allowing these essential services to continue without interruption. We can’t let this funding fall through the cracks – it’s too important to the people and communities we support.”
In response, a spokesperson for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said that it would only be able to formally comment on the UKSPF’s future after the spending review is done for this year’s budget in October.
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