Community Relations Council

What Community Relations Council does

The Northern Ireland Community Relations Council (NICRC) is a Belfast-based non-profit, founded in 1990, that acts as a statutory interface between The Executive Office and Northern Ireland's community and voluntary sector for the delivery of the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) Strategy. It convenes programmes that address sectarianism, division, racism, and social isolation — most visibly Good Relations Week (running for over 20 years and mobilizing events from 130+ organizations), the T:BUC Engagement Forum, the Good Relations Awards, the Shared Learning Forum, and the Decade of Centenaries commemorations. It also publishes the Northern Ireland Peace Monitoring Report as an annual sector benchmark.

CRC's core operational products are grant schemes administered on behalf of government: the Core Funding Scheme (multi-year capacity funding for peacebuilding organizations such as The Junction and PeacePlayers NI), the CR/CD Small Grants Scheme (project-level community relations funding), the Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme (£500–£2,500 grants under DAERA's TRPSI Programme), and the North Belfast Strategic Good Relations Programme. It does not sell a technology product; its platform consists of a Drupal website, a Flexigrant-hosted funding application portal, Eventbrite event registration, and email newsletters, with no public API or proprietary software assets.

The revenue model is government-grant-funded: CRC receives core funding from The Executive Office and additional programme funding from the International Fund for Ireland, DAERA, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, then disburses a portion downstream to community and voluntary organizations. Go-to-market is event- and grant-driven rather than commercial, with marketing concentrated on the website, social channels (X @NI_CRC, Facebook, YouTube), and the Good Relations Week platform. Leadership comprises Chair Martin McDonald MBE and Chief Executive Jacqueline Irwin.

Name

Community Relations Council

Legal name

Northern Ireland Community Relations Council

Website

https://community-relations.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Northern Ireland Community Relations Council is a Belfast-based non-profit that administers government grants and convenes programmes — including Good Relations Week, the T:BUC Engagement Forum, and the Northern Ireland Peace Monitoring Report — to promote peacebuilding, cultural diversity, and community cohesion across Northern Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Relations and Peacebuilding Non-Profit Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Community relations
• Peacebuilding programs
• Cultural diversity
• Grant funding
• Good relations

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Core funding from The Executive Office and other government bodies to support community relations programs, good relations initiatives, and peacebuilding activities across Northern Ireland.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Community Relations Council is a non-profit organization that administers government-funded grant schemes (Core Funding, CR/CD Small Grants, Rural Micro Capital Grants) to community and voluntary groups across Northern Ireland and coordinates peacebuilding, good relations, and cultural diversity initiatives such as Good Relations Week and the T:BUC Engagement Forum. It also publishes resources including the Northern Ireland Peace Monitoring Report and Shared Space to support policy and community practice.

Product overview

Community Relations Council operates a portfolio of community-focused programmes, funding schemes, and publications rather than a unified technology product. Their core offerings include Good Relations Week (an annual celebration of peace-building and cultural diversity), multiple funding schemes (CR/CD Small Grants, Core Funding, Rural Micro Capital Grants), engagement forums, and publications including the Northern Ireland Peace Monitoring Report and Shared Space. These programmes support community organisations, promote good relations, and facilitate funding for peace-building activities across Northern Ireland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Good Relations Week An annual celebration of good relations, peacebuilding and cultural diversity in Northern Ireland, running for over 20 years, featuring hundreds of events organised by more than 130 organisations. Targeted at community and voluntary organisations, schools, businesses, and the general public across Northern Ireland.
• CR/CD Small Grants Scheme A grant scheme providing funding to community and voluntary groups throughout Northern Ireland to develop capacity for community relations work and enhance community relations potential of projects. Targeted at community and voluntary organisations working in good relations and cultural diversity.
• Core Funding Scheme Core funding provided to organisations working in the community relations sector in Northern Ireland. Targeted at community and voluntary sector organisations with sustained peacebuilding and good relations programmes.
• Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme Micro capital grants (£500-£2,500) for rural community-led voluntary organisations addressing local poverty and social isolation, funded under DAERA's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme. Targeted at rural community groups in Northern Ireland.
• T:BUC Engagement Forum A forum organised by Community Relations Council on behalf of The Executive Office, bringing together community and business sectors to discuss the Together: Building a United Community Strategy. Targeted at community organisations and businesses in Northern Ireland.
• Northern Ireland Peace Monitoring Report Annual comprehensive publication monitoring peace and good relations progress in Northern Ireland. Targeted at policymakers, community organisations, academics, and the wider public interested in peace and good relations indicators.
• Shared Space A publication providing resources and information on shared community spaces and integration. Targeted at community organisations, policymakers, and practitioners working on shared space initiatives.
• Decade of Centenaries An initiative marking historical centenaries and commemorations in Northern Ireland, including the Principles for Remembering in Public Space. Targeted at community organisations, schools, and the wider public engaging with historical commemoration.
• Good Relations Award Annual award ceremony recognising organisations and individuals making significant contributions to good relations in Northern Ireland. Targeted at community organisations, businesses, and individuals active in good relations work.
• Shared Learning Forum A forum providing opportunities for shared learning among organisations working in community relations and peacebuilding. Targeted at practitioners in community and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland.
• North Belfast Strategic Good Relations Programme Strategic programme providing funding and support for good relations work specifically in North Belfast. Targeted at community and voluntary organisations operating in North Belfast.

Quantifiable outcome

• Good Relations Week 2026 features hundreds of events organized by 130+ organizations
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• The Executive OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Executive Office provides strategic oversight and funding for the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) Strategy. Good Relations Week 2026 is supported by The Executive Office and contributes to delivering the T:BUC Strategy.
• International Fund for IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IFI has opened funding calls for peacebuilders under the 'Crossing the Threshold' strategy, providing financial support ranging from £30,000 to £150,000/€35,000 to €170,000. The organization marks 40 years of peacebuilding.
• Apex, Ark, Choice and Radius Housing AssociationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour housing associations supporting the 'Housing for All' Shared Housing Programme, delivering shared housing developments across Derry-Londonderry with a potential investment of £45m in shared neighbourhoods.
• Nerve CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNerve Centre delivers the 'Outpouring' immersive installation project co-created with young people from Belfast, supported through the Core Funding Scheme.
• Ibe SesaysupportingOthersRadio presenter and DJ serving as Good Relations Week 2026 ambassador, supporting the campaign's call for a more welcoming and connected society.
• Bernadette HaganssupportingOthersCampaigner and disability advocate serving as Good Relations Week 2026 ambassador, supporting the campaign's call for inclusion and belonging.
• Northern Ireland Housing ExecutivemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting Africa Day 2026 and the 'Housing for All' Shared Housing Programme, promoting positive relations and celebrating diversity.
• Derry City and Strabane District CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partner for Africa Day 2026 and various good relations initiatives.
• John and Pat Hume FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading on delivery of Peace Summit 2023 together with Community Dialogue and other partners including Youth Action NI, Ulster University, Holywell Trust, International Fund for Ireland, and Integrated Education Fund.
• /Together CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with Community Relations Council to host the Good Relations /Together conference celebrating peacebuilding work across Northern Ireland.
• DU Dance NIsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Little Stranger' film project for Refugee Week 2022, supported through CR/CD Small Grants Scheme.
• Belfast City CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Good Relations Scheme, neighborhood regeneration, and various community programs including Good Relations Events.
• Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding the Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme under the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme.
• Business in the CommunitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking in partnership with Community Relations Council and The Executive Office for T:BUC Engagement Forum focusing on business sector engagement.
• The JunctionmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPeacebuilding organization supported by Community Relations Council's Core Funding scheme, delivering community relations education and training in Derry/Londonderry.
• PeacePlayers NImajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganization supported through Core Funding Scheme, using sport (mainly basketball) as a tool for peacebuilding with children and young people in cross-community context.
• African Caribbean Community Network (ACCN)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosting Africa Day 2026 celebration, supported by housing associations through the Housing for All Shared Housing Programme.
• ArtsEktamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProducers of Belfast Mela, supported through CR/CD Small Grants Scheme, delivering cultural diversity celebrations attracting 60,000+ visitors.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Conciliation Resources: UK-based international peacebuilding NGO working on conflict transformation, dialogue, and governance. Comparable as a specialist peace and reconciliation intermediary organisation with a portfolio of funded programmes and a convening role across government, civil society, and donors.
• /Together Coalition: UK-wide coalition promoting connection and community relations, partnered with CRC for the Good Relations/Together conference. Comparable in mission (community connection, anti-polarisation) and as a coordinating body running awareness campaigns and convening partner organisations.
• Peace Direct: UK-registered peacebuilding organisation that funds and supports local peacebuilders globally. Comparable in operating a grantmaking-plus-capacity-building model and in being a UK-headquartered intermediary channelling donor and government funds to grassroots peace organisations.
• International Fund for Ireland: Independent international organisation funding peacebuilding and cross-community work across Northern Ireland and the southern border counties. Directly comparable as both a funder and strategic partner in the NI peace infrastructure; CRC actively distributes IFI peacebuilder grants (£30k-£150k).
• Corrymeela Community: Northern Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation centre, delivering cross-community residential programmes and peacebuilding work. Comparable in mission (reconciliation, sectarianism reduction) and in operating as a mission-driven organisation dependent on grants and donations to deliver community-facing programmes.
• Healing Through Remembering: NI-based organisation focused on dealing with the legacy of the conflict through storytelling, remembrance, and commemoration. Directly comparable as a small NGO working on reconciliation narratives, closely aligned with CRC's Decade of Centenaries and Shared Space publications work.
• Co-operation Ireland: Cross-border reconciliation organisation delivering cross-community and cross-border programmes between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Comparable in mission, funding model (government, EU PEACE, philanthropic), and in working through partner organisations on peace and integration programmes.

Broad incumbents

• British Council: UK government-linked organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, including a significant Northern Ireland peace and good relations programme. Comparable as a publicly funded body delivering cross-community and intercultural programmes with regional convening power across NI.
• Joseph Rowntree Charitable Foundation: UK grantmaking foundation with a long-standing peace and reconciliation funding programme in Northern Ireland. Comparable as a grantmaking peer funding many of the same community organisations CRC supports, and as an established UK philanthropic institution operating in the NI peace space.

Regional players

• Spirit of Enniskillen Trust: Northern Ireland trust promoting understanding and reconciliation in the aftermath of the 1987 Enniskillen bombing. Comparable as a regional NI peace and reconciliation organisation and grantmaker with similar mission scope but smaller geographic footprint than CRC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NI_CRC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBtSZAanddpQpHiGrkO3gVQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/CommunityRelationsCouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-relations-council-ni

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Relations Council