A Northern Ireland charity has been awarded £100,000 to help community and voluntary groups influence decisions that affect their areas, with a particular emphasis on increasing women's participation in public forums.

The Women's Resource and Development Agency (WRDA), based in Belfast and operating across Northern Ireland, will receive the UK Government's first Engagement for Change Fund grant over three years. The programme will equip participants with skills in policymaking, effective communication, advocacy and network building, engagement with traditional and social media, and the collection and use of robust data and evidence so they can present community perspectives at the highest levels of decision-making.

Open to people of all genders, the initiative will prioritise women's involvement to counter underrepresentation and broaden democratic participation.

The award was announced by Northern Ireland Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Baroness Ruth Anderson during a visit to Belfast.

Baroness Anderson said: "Democracy thrives when all of us genuinely have the opportunity and skills to make our voices heard. "The Engagement for Change Fund award will support community representatives across Northern Ireland to develop the skills and confidence necessary to advocate for their work and the communities they support.

"I'm particularly pleased that this work will include a specific focus on women, and I know WRDA are well placed to have a real impact."

WRDA Director Anne McVicker said: "WRDA is delighted to secure this funding from the Engagement for Change Fund, and we are very excited to roll out our programme Grow, Lead, Change across the sector in the coming months.

"We believe this is a real opportunity for the whole community and voluntary sector and especially for grassroots women's organisations to develop skills in influencing decision makers and getting their voices heard in the rooms where decisions are made.

"We are especially eager to work with groups that have never done this type of work, and we think the outcomes can be transformative."

The announcement forms part of wider Northern Ireland Office support for local communities. It follows the Connect Fund, which has to date awarded £500,000 to community and voluntary organisations, and precedes the £1 million Community Partnership Fund aimed at strengthening and empowering Northern Ireland's voluntary sector and grassroots groups.

The Fund aligns with the UK Government's Civil Society Covenant by promoting participation and inclusion, involving people in decisions that affect their lives, and removing barriers to democratic engagement.