Northern Ireland Department for Social Development: Voluntary and Community Unit

The main business of the Voluntary and Community Unit is to:

• provide advice and guidance about working with the voluntary and community sector;
• support community development;
• promote volunteering and active citizenship;
• work in partnership with the community and voluntary sector;
• administer and develop policy and strategy;
• research issues affecting the voluntary and community sector.

Areas of responsibility:

• provide funding programmes for the voluntary and community sector
• manage the Northern Ireland Central Investment fund for Charities
• manage the Government Grants to the Voluntary and Community Sector  database
• develop policy and strategy
• develop a volunteering strategy for Northern Ireland

The Unit's website provides a range of information and publications for charities in Northern Ireland.