Open Call: The Fibrus Community Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 16-Oct-2026

The Fibrus Community Fund provides grants of up to £1,500 to community and voluntary organisations in Northern Ireland working to reduce digital poverty and digital exclusion. The fund prioritises projects supporting older people, people on low incomes, and people with disabilities through access to digital devices, digital skills training, community internet facilities, and other long-term digital inclusion initiatives.

About the Fibrus Community Fund

The Fibrus Community Fund was established by Fibrus Broadband in partnership with the Community Foundation Northern Ireland to address digital poverty across Northern Ireland. The fund focuses on communities and individuals who face barriers to accessing digital technology, internet connectivity, and digital skills. Particular attention is given to vulnerable groups, including older people, people on low incomes, and people with disabilities. The programme aims to help community organisations develop practical solutions that improve digital access, digital literacy, connectivity, and long-term digital inclusion. What Is Digital Poverty? Digital poverty refers to a lack of access to the technology, internet connectivity, skills, or resources needed to participate fully in an increasingly digital society. Digital exclusion can make it more difficult for people to: Helping beneficiaries learn how to use digital services Developing community assets that provide ongoing digital access Projects should focus on practical and sustainable benefits for the people they serve. Priority Beneficiaries

Priority is given to projects supporting:

Older people People on low incomes People with disabilities The fund particularly values grassroots organisations that work directly with these communities. Projects should demonstrate how the proposed activities will help beneficiaries access and use digital technology more effectively. Why It Matters Digital access is increasingly important for participating in everyday life. Community organisations can play an important role in reaching people who may experience digital exclusion because of financial barriers, disability, age, limited digital skills, or lack of access to suitable technology.

The fund can help organisations:

Improve digital connectivity Increase digital literacy Reduce technology-related barriers Build community digital resources Help vulnerable people use online services Develop longer-term digital inclusion opportunities Who Is Eligible? The fund is intended for constituted community and voluntary organisations operating in eligible areas of Northern Ireland. Applicants must meet the programme’s organisational and financial requirements.

Eligible organisations must generally:

Be a constituted community or voluntary organisation. Have an annual income below £50,000. Be based in a specified eligible postcode in Northern Ireland. Have an active management committee. Have an appropriate governing document. Have a current organisational bank account. Have up-to-date annual accounts. Have complied with the conditions of any previous grants received. Applicants should confirm that their organisation meets all applicable geographical and organisational requirements before submitting an application. Who Is Not Eligible? The fund does not accept applications from certain types of applicants.

Ineligible applicants include:

Individuals Statutory organisations Certain types of Community Interest Companies (CICs) Organisations that do not meet the required income or governance conditions Organisations should check the specific eligibility rules before preparing a full application. How Much Funding Is Available? Eligible projects can apply for grants of up to £1,500. The funding is intended to support projects that directly tackle digital poverty and improve digital inclusion for vulnerable people in the community. Applicants should request an amount that is appropriate to the scale and needs of their proposed project. How to Use the Funding A strong project should clearly demonstrate how the grant will address a specific digital inclusion problem. For example, an organisation could use the funding to: Identify digital barriers affecting local beneficiaries. Provide access to suitable devices for people who lack them. Deliver practical digital skills workshops. Create or improve a community internet hub. Help beneficiaries use online services safely and independently. Develop resources that can continue supporting the community after the grant period. The proposed activities should have a clear connection to digital poverty and the needs of the target community. How to Apply Eligible organisations should prepare an application that clearly explains their organisation, beneficiaries, digital inclusion problem, proposed activities, and expected outcomes.

Step 1: Check Your Organisation’s Eligibility

Confirm that your organisation:

Is a constituted community or voluntary organisation. Has an annual income below £50,000. Is located in an eligible postcode. Has an active management committee. Has a governing document. Has a current bank account. Has up-to-date annual accounts. Has met the conditions attached to previous grants, where applicable.

Step 2: Identify the Digital Need

Explain the specific digital poverty problem affecting your community.

For example, beneficiaries may lack:

Internet access Digital devices Digital skills Confidence using technology Access to appropriate community facilities

Step 3: Develop the Project

Describe exactly what the grant will support.

Include:

Project activities Target beneficiaries Number of people expected to benefit Equipment or resources required Training activities Community facilities involved Expected outcomes

Step 4: Explain the Long-Term Benefit

The fund gives priority to projects that build community assets and create longer-term benefits. Explain how the project could continue helping people after the initial funding has been used.

Step 5: Sub