Community Voice

Everyone has the right to participate in the decisions that affect their lives and shape the society they live in. Public trust in government and politics is extremely low and there are few opportunities for people to influence the decisions that affect their lives – with the right support civil society can change this by reinvigorating civic participation and pushing for deeper democracy.

“Community Voice” builds on 40 years of experience at the Community Foundation and Building Change Trust to support new and innovative ways for communities to participate in decision making and provide an opportunity to bring strategic change across NI.

We will continue to help communities to find their voice through our:

• Civic Innovation Programme
• Civic Innovation Toolkit – a directory of creative approaches to involving people in decision-making, as well as local case studies.
• Pressure Group Fund – a small grant fund for groups undertaking issue-specific campaigns and civic action.

See how we have supported civil society to play a role in affecting change at the Northern Ireland Open Government Network, the Northern Ireland Citizens’ Assembly and participatory budgeting.