Social Economy Incentive Fund

Social Economy Incentive Fund 2025

The Social Economy Incentive Fund is open to applications from Belfast-based social enterprises and co-operatives. The fund is for new and growing social enterprises that help address barriers in areas of social deprivation in Belfast.

The application process is competitive. Applicants will be shortlisted based on an application form followed by a pitch competition on Monday 24 November 2025.

Eligibility criteria to apply for an award

To apply, an organisation:

• must be located in Belfast City Council area
• must be operating and actively trading
• must be a business that is a registered social enterprise or co-operative organisation or in the process of completing this registration
• must be able to demonstrate the potential impact of the funding on achieving your organisation's and programme aims
• must be committed to begin spending the funding on the project within three months with all monies spent within 12 months.

Due to the limited funding available, priority will be given to organisations that have not previously received substantial financial support from other public sources and can demonstrate impact in areas of social deprivation in the city.

Costs or activities eligible for funding

The Social Economy Incentive Fund can only be used to grow or expand the organisation and the organisation's activities. This means additional activities or enhancing the current offering. You cannot use this funding to sustain current operations.

Funding can cover:

• support including equipment to help achieve growth
• set up costs
• skills development and specialist mentoring support
• new licences or subscriptions (not already provided by another programme).

Costs or activities not eligible for funding

This fund cannot cover existing direct or indirect costs such as rent, rates or utility bills for existing premises or staff salaries.

You cannot use this fund to buy items for personal use. If you are applying for equipment or IT hardware, you must show how it will be used for business purposes.This fund cannot be passed on as donations to charities or local groups.

Prize fund

The prize fund is split into two categories:

• Start-up Grant
• Growth Grant

Start-up Grant

Maximum award is up to £7,500. Eligible applicants must be organisations that have started operations but have not been operational for more than three years on the date they apply. Applicants must demonstrate a credible capacity to generate increased revenue within the first 12 months of receiving the grant.

Growth Grant

Maximum award is up to £10,000 match funding. Eligible applicants must be organisations that have operated continuously for a minimum period of three years. Funding will be provided on a match funding basis, with the grant covering up to 50 per cent of eligible costs, subject to a maximum contribution of £10,000. For example if you are awarded £3,000, you must match it with £3,000 (total eligible costs £6,000). We may seek proof of match funding.

Closing date

You must apply online using the form. Applications close on Tuesday 11 November 2025 at 4pm. Applicants must be available to attend a pitching session on Monday 24 November in Belfast if shortlisted.

Apply to Social Economy Incentive Fund

When you apply, you must upload a copy of your organisation's constitution or articles.

Apply to Social Economy Incentive Fund 2025 (link opens in new window). 

UK Subsidy Control or EU State Aid

These guidance notes are regarding state aid reporting requirements in the event of a potential award.

Belfast City Council has determined the Social Economy Incentive Fund grant is a subsidy, as defined in the UK Subsidy Control Act or the EU’s State aid rules. If your organisation is awarded the grant, we must ensure we collect the correct information.

In the first question on the application form, you need to tell us if your organisation is engaged in an economic activity that entails offering goods and services on a market.

We also ask if your organisation has received funding from any public body during this year and the last two full years of your organisation’s financial year. For example, this could be funding from other local agencies or councils.

In question three, you need to tell us if your organisation exports goods or services into or out of Northern Ireland. If you are unsure of the type of support you have received during this year and the last two full years of your organisation’s financial years, you should contact the relevant grant providers and request this information.

Incorrect information could result in your business receiving too much funding which could later give rise to this being recovered with interest. Belfast City Council would also advise that you seek independent legal advice if you are unsure of your obligations under this legislation.

If the amount of support you have received is over £200,000, we will contact you as this may make your organisation ineligible to receive the Social Economy Incentive Fund grant under EU ‘de minimis’ rules or the UK Subsidy Control Act.

For further guidance on the Subsidy Control Regime, email [email protected] and include Social Economy Incentive Fund as the subject.