Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Connect Fund on assessing the (a) application and (b) success rates for those applying to that fund from beyond the Greater Belfast area.

The Northern Ireland Office Connect Fund welcomes applications from the voluntary and community sector, civic society and national representative bodies across Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Geographical application and success rates are reviewed as part of the ongoing monitoring process, and awareness of the Fund has been promoted via seven informational Roadshow Events; five events have been delivered in-person, outside of the Greater Belfast area.

Of the 127 unique applicants to the Connect Fund, 41 represent Northern-Ireland based organisations located outside the Greater Belfast area (32%). A further 33 represent GB-based organisations (26%). Of the 40 unique organisations which have been successful in securing funding, 14 represent Northern Ireland based organisations located outside of the Greater Belfast area (35%). A further 5 represent GB-based organisations (13%). The Connect Fund has been confirmed for two further rounds; Round 3 will open for applications ahead of the 27/28 Financial Year, and Round 4 will open ahead of the 28/29 Financial Year. All eligible organisations seeking to deliver programming to strengthen East-West civic relationships are welcomed and encouraged to apply.