Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Cross Border Partnerships Funding Inviting Applications

Safefood is inviting applications for funding for its Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Cross Border Partnerships Funding.

The Community Food Initiatives programme aims to empower people in low-income communities to make healthier food choices. It funds local projects that improve access to healthy and safe food using a community development approach. Since 2010, over 65,000 people have taken part in a Community Food Initiative activity.

The Community Food Initiatives Programme 2025-28 is funded by Safefood and administered by SECAD Partnership CLG.

Safefood is an all-island implementation body set up under the British-Irish Agreement (1999) to promote awareness and knowledge of food safety and healthy eating on the island of Ireland.

CFI Cross Border Partnerships

Four cross-border partnerships will be funded focusing on low-income areas across the island of Ireland. A total of 8 organisations will be chosen with 2 organisations (one each from Ireland and Northern Ireland) working in partnership to deliver programmes over a 4-year period.

The two organisations involved in each partnership will deliver one programme per year. The two organisations need to develop and plan the programme and all its elements in partnership.  The programme will be co-designed by the participating organisations and in consultation with their local communities, to address specific local needs.

The programme will involve the delivery of a small project by each partner and must include at least one joint activity between the two organisations involved in each partnership. For example, one organisation hosts an event or initiative that includes participants from the partner organisation.  These projects should take a programme approach where participants are supported over a period of time.

Your organisation must have identified a partner before an application for funding is submitted.  One organisation in the partnership will act as the lead partner. This organisation will be the primary point of contact between the partners and SECAD Partnership.  The application will be submitted by the lead partner.

An overview of CFI Cross Border Partnerships can be viewed through clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/1F_hULvE2C8.

Funding

Interested organisations may apply for funding up to €2,650 (€5,300 per partnership) or the sterling equivalent per annum.

• Up to €2,000 programme funding per organisation
• Up to €650 funding for travel per organisation.

Timeframe for the delivery of the CFI Cross Border Partnership project

During 2026, each partnership will deliver 2 programmes.  The deadline for completion of the first programme will be Friday, 27 March 2026.

Online information session

We will be holding an information session for organisations who would like to hear more about the CFI Cross Border Partnerships funding and what delivering a project will entail.

We will cover how to complete the application form, highlighting key sections and the essential information applicants should include. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about the CFI Cross Border Partnerships and the application process.

Information session

Date: Thursday, 20 November 2025

Time: 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Click on the link to register to attend on the online information session:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Z10M_krRSRKyzq2u2XB1-A 

Applicant Organisation Criteria

Organisations must:

• Be community-led organisations with a legal status and appropriate governance structure
• Be experienced in the management of public funds which support social inclusion initiatives
• Currently employ and manage professionals with community development experience
• Have experience of working with the target group identified
• Be supporting other broader community initiatives through their work
• Provide supports across communities irrespective of age, race or creed.

How to apply

Click on the link to access the guidelines and application form: www.healthycommunities.ie/cfi-apply

Closing date for applications

The closing date for applications is Friday, 5 December 2025 at 5.00 pm