Development Trusts NI

01/06/2026

DTNI were delighted to have the opportunity to present the North West model of Community Wealth Building at the Future East event and to share the journey we have been on to date.

Community Wealth Building is no longer just a concept, it is becoming a movement. Across the islands, communities, anchor institutions and partners are increasingly recognising its potential to create a fairer, more inclusive economy that keeps wealth, opportunity and investment rooted in local places.

It was encouraging to hear the enthusiasm in the room and to engage with so many people who are passionate about creating stronger communities and more resilient local economies. The discussions reinforced that while every place is different, we share a common ambition: to ensure that economic development delivers meaningful benefits for the people and communities it is intended to serve.

A sincere thank you to the EastSide Partnership and everyone involved in organising such a valuable event. The growing momentum behind Community Wealth Building is exciting to see, and I look forward to continuing to work with partners across the region to turn ambition into action.

The future of Community Wealth Building in Northern Ireland is bright, and events like this show just how much can be achieved when we learn from one another and work together.

01/06/2026

📢 Have Your Say on the Future of Local Growth Funding in Northern Ireland

Tomorrow, DTNI will be hosting the Belfast consultation session on the NI Office's proposed Local Growth Fund 2026–2029.

This is a significant opportunity for community organisations, social enterprises, development trusts and the wider voluntary and community sector to help shape how future investment is delivered across our communities.

We want to hear your views on:
✅ Regional priorities
✅ Local challenges and opportunities
✅ How the Fund can best support communities across Northern Ireland

Your insights will directly inform DTNI's collective response to the consultation and help ensure that the voice of the sector is heard loud and clear.

If you're interested in the future of community-led regeneration, economic development and local growth, we would encourage you to join us.

Can't make it in person? You can still contribute through DTNI Connect by completing the consultation questions online https://dtniconnect.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/v3/niolocal-growth-fund-in-northern-ireland-20262029-consultation?step=step1

The decisions made through this process could influence investment priorities for years to come, don't miss the opportunity to have your voice heard.

31/05/2026

We are looking for an experienced and capable Business Support Coordinator to be the backbone of our organisation. This is a varied, hands-on role that sits at the heart of everything we do. From supporting our Board and keeping our systems running smoothly, to coordinating events and helping us engage with our members. This is a permanent role, and we are looking for someone who wants to settle in, take ownership and become an invaluable part of a small, friendly team.
We are happy to discuss part-time or full-time arrangements to suit the right person.

Job details here: https://www.dtni.org.uk/business-support-coordinator/

13/05/2026

We’re hiring! DTNI is seeking an energetic, organised and relationship-focused Membership & Engagement Officer to support the growth and development of our membership network across Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will play a key role in recruiting new members while ensuring existing members remain engaged, informed and connected to the organisation and each other.

The postholder will support communications, member services, CRM management, networking opportunities and membership benefit development, helping to strengthen DTNI’s profile, impact and sustainability.

Click here to apply for this position on CommunityNI: https://ow.ly/nNAq50YZ0bP

The deadline for submissions is 4:00pm on 28th May 2026.

12/05/2026

Is your organisation truly investment ready? 🤔

Places are limited for our FREE IREAD Consultation & Report, designed to help groups and organisations better understand their strengths, challenges and future investment potential.

The IREAD diagnostic tool provides a tailored assessment across 7 key areas:

🔹 Governance & Leadership
🔹 Market Potential
🔹 Financial Performance
🔹 Financial Control
🔹 Quality & Impact
🔹 Land & Buildings
🔹 Environmental Impact & Sustainability

Through a guided consultation, your organisation will receive a practical report, clear scoring and valuable insight into where improvements can be made to strengthen investment readiness, sustainability and future growth opportunities.

This is an excellent opportunity for community groups, social enterprises and organisations to take stock of where they are now — and where they could go next.

✅ Identify organisational strengths and gaps
✅ Gain practical insight and recommendations
✅ Better position your organisation for future investment opportunities

📩 To secure your FREE IREAD Consultation & Report, contact: [email protected]

Early interest is expected, so we would encourage organisations to register their interest as soon as possible.

08/05/2026

📢 DTNI welcome the opening of the NIO's consultation on the Local Growth Fund Investment Plan for Northern Ireland and we're calling on our members and the wider VCSE sector to help shape it.

🏗️ With £129M confirmed over three years, this is significant investment in our communities. The capital allocation for 2026-27 means real money needs to be spent THIS year, and it must be spent well, and spent in communities.

DTNI is particularly supportive of calls for a dedicated, localised Community Ownership Fund as part of this investment plan. Community ownership isn't just good economic policy... "it's transformative". When communities own their assets, they build lasting wealth, resilience, and pride in place.

We believe the Local Growth Fund must:
✅ Prioritise community-led capital projects
✅ Include a Northern Ireland Community Ownership Fund
✅ Ensure the VCSE sector is a genuine delivery partner - not an afterthought
✅ Reach those furthest from the labour market

📝 DTNI will be coordinating a sector response on behalf of our members and the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. We want YOUR views included.

Consultation link 👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/northern-ireland-office

08/05/2026

Discover the Future East: Unlocking the Economic Potential of East Belfast!

Join a dynamic gathering of community champions, policymakers, business leaders, and innovators as we shape the next chapter of East Belfast’s regeneration. From the iconic shipyards that built the Titanic to the historic Portview Spinning Mill and the world’s largest Ropeworks, East Belfast’s legacy of resilience and industry continues to inspire.

At Future East, you’ll:
- Forge powerful partnerships to strengthen our community and economy
- Explore strategies for sustainable, inclusive growth
- Connect with the leaders driving change across the city
- Gain insights from trailblazers in the public, private, and voluntary sectors

Be part of the movement at Portview Trade Centre on Wednesday, 27th May. Let’s build a brighter future for East Belfast—together!

Secure your FREE ticket now:

Let's come together to launch a conversation on how east Belfast will achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.

27/04/2026

Responsible for managing a building? Book your place now in our upcoming Facilities Management training! This 2-day online course offers tools and tips to increase your knowledge and confidence to manage your property safely, efficiently, and in line with current regulations.

Find out more & register here: https://ow.ly/YviQ50YNrgc

23/04/2026

It was a real pleasure to come together with partners to have such an engaging meeting with the Mayor at our recent Community Wealth Building event in the North West.

The session provided a good opportunity to reflect on the progress of the North West Model of CWB, share learning, and look ahead to what comes next. The Mayor’s contribution added real energy to the discussion and reinforced the importance of this work for the region.

Highlights from the event included:

• Presentation of findings from The North West Model of Community Wealth Building: Reflections from Practice
• Early insights from the ongoing regional evaluation of Community Wealth Building activity
• New research from Trademark Belfast exploring the potential for worker and community ownership

As we mark the end of the current pilot phase funded by DfE, this felt like an important milestone, bringing together collective insight, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to inclusive growth.

There’s a real sense of momentum as we move into the next phase of delivery and development.

🎥 Watch the video to hear directly from those involved and catch some of the key moments from the day.