Belfast Harbour has officially launched its 2026 Community Awards, making £110,000 available to grassroots organisations throughout Belfast and the wider region. Individual grants of up to £5,000 are being offered as part of the Trust Port's broader Community Fund Programme, which is set to donate a record £350,000 to charitable and community-based projects this year.

Since its inception in 2021, the scheme has provided support to over 150 projects. These initiatives focus on strengthening local communities, protecting the environment, enhancing employability, and creating new opportunities for residents. Past recipients have included a diverse range of groups, from community gardens and sports clubs to disability support services and youth arts programmes.

As a Trust Port, Belfast Harbour reinvests 1% of its annual operating profits back into the community. This year's £110,000 allocation will be distributed through two primary funding rounds—opening in March and September—offering grants of up to £5,000. Additionally, the "Harbouring Connections Award" will launch in early summer, providing two £5,000 grants for collaborative projects involving two or more eligible organisations. Joe O'Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour, said: "We are proud to open our 2026 Community Awards with £110k being made available across the year to grassroots organisations through grants of up to £5,000. This means, since the programme began, we have invested half a million pounds, a milestone worth celebrating. This is testimony to the commitment Belfast Harbour has made to being an organisation which supports the communities, the city and the region it serves. Behind every award is a story of people coming together to strengthen their communities. Over the past five years, we have supported dozens of groups, ranging from Brothers Autism Social Enterprise, which supports autistic adults in making connections within their community, to Belfast Lough Sailability which has used the funding to enable people with disabilities to experience the joys of sailing. Through programmes such as the Community Awards we are proud to invest in organisations that are making a meaningful difference to their communities – turning ideas into action, and fostering resilience, inclusion and opportunity. We encourage groups of all sizes to apply and bring forward their ideas for this latest round of funding."

David McLaughlin, Founder Director of Brothers Autism Social Enterprise, said: "Belfast Harbour's support enabled Brothers Autism Social Enterprise (BASE) to deliver two social-arts intervention programmes for autistic adults, supporting 15 members on each programme. The Community Awards funding directly contributed to art materials and essential overheads, including room rental, ensuring continuity of provision for participants. As a result, autistic adults were able to maintain regular attendance, reduce social isolation and loneliness, and develop meaningful peer friendships within a structured, supportive environment. The programmes proactively addressed mental health challenges by fostering belonging, confidence and community connection. A huge thank you to Belfast Harbour for their valued Community Awards support!"

Groups interested in applying can find further details and application instructions at www.belfast-harbour.co.uk/community/community-awards or by contacting communityawards@belfast-harbour.co.uk.