RAISE General Information
General information and guidance on the RAISE Programme, how it has been developed and progress on delivery.
The RAISE Programme is being delivered within 18 localities across Northern Ireland set out below.
| Antrim |
| Ballymena |
| Belfast |
| Carrickfergus |
| Coleraine |
| Derry / Londonderry |
| Dungannon & Coalisland |
| Enniskillen |
| Limavady |
| Lisburn |
| Lurgan and Brownlow |
| Millisle and Donaghadee |
| Newry |
| Newtownabbey |
| Portadown |
Further information can be found on the RAISE localities page.
RAISE Summary Document
More information on the RAISE Programme can be found in the summary document below.
RAISE Locality eligibility data and methodology
The methodology used to select localities was objective and data informed with all areas having to meet a threshold of need under a wide range of criteria. Super Output Areas across Northern Ireland were analysed using seven criteria – free school meal entitlement, Special Educational Needs, pupil attendance and GCSE attainment as well as the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation measures of income deprivation affecting children and health deprivation and disability, and Crime and Anti-social behaviour. These indicators were tested with a stakeholder reference group and reflect the fact that children and young people face different barriers to success in education.
The data used and an explanation of the methodology can be found below:
Development of RAISE Strategic Area Plans
Strategic Area Plans have been developed for each RAISE locality, informed by the views of children, young people, parents and carers as well as key stakeholders delivering services in the locality. A Locality Reference Group in each locality has helped to respond to these views to shape and inform the development of a bespoke Strategic Area Plan in each RAISE locality identifying what is needed to support delivery against the strategic objectives of the programme and proposing actions based on research and evidence of what works.
The Locality Reference Group in each RAISE locality have driven forward the development of the Strategic Area Plan. Each locality has received a base allocation of £100k with a top up on a per pupil basis. The maximum allocation per locality over two years is set out at Annex B of the Developing a Locality Strategic Area Plan iguidance below.
Engagement with children, young people and parents
Children and young people are at the centre of the RAISE Programme. RAISE adopted the Lundy Model of Participation (2007) to ensure that children and young people have an opportunity to inform and shape the RAISE Strategic Area Plans and the wider RAISE Programme. Stranmillis University College and Parenting Focus were appointed to engage with children and young people and parents. Stranmillis University College carried out workshops in the 18 localities involving 235 young people, 16 mothers (of 27 babies/toddlers). Parenting Focus facilitated 22 focus groups with parents across the 18 localities involving 188 parents. They also carried out a parental survey with 1,990 respondents.
Progress on Locality Led Projects
Following the first RAISE Call for Locality Led Projects, 65 Locality Led Projects, with a value of £3.7 million were selected to advance further in the process and are now moving to delivery.
These Locality Led Projects will deliver some of the key objectives outlined in the RAISE Strategic Area Plans.
A second call for RAISE Locality Led Projects was issued on 19 March 2026 and closed on 29 April 2026.
Following an assessment process, 42 projects were selected to move forward in the process, up to a value of £1.91m.
Further information and guidance on assessment of project proposals can be found in the Guidance section below.
Further details of the Locality Led Projects that have been selected to advance further in the process can be found at:
Call for Home School Community Connections Locality Led Projects
Twelve of the 18 RAISE localities prioritised objectives in their Strategic Area Plan to improve links between home, school and community. While these objectives broadly covered the links between home, school and community there was limited consistency across the plans as to the specific roles, what the focus would be and how they would be delivered.
When considering the RAISE Strategic Area Plans, the Assessment Panel and subsequently the RAISE Programme Board noted that a more strategic approach may lead to better outcomes.
The Department therefore sought proposals to enhance links between home, school and community, to deliver against the relevant objectives in those twelve localities through a separate specific call. The call was issued on 18 March 2026 and closed on 29 April 2026.
Information provided is now being assessed and scored by an Assessment Panel.
Guidance on RAISE Locality Led Projects
Guidance for organisations on the application and assessment process for submitting project proposals through open calls can be found below.
- RAISE Locality Led Projects
- Identification of RAISE Locality Led Projects and RAISE Locality Led Project Identification Template Guidance Notes
- RAISE Assessment Panel Scoring Guidance
- RAISE Evaluation Framework
RAISE stakeholder updates
- RAISE Cross-Cutting Initiatives Stakeholder Update
- RAISE Stakeholder Letter - September 2025
- RAISE Programme Update - Stakeholder Letter - December 2025
- RAISE Stakeholder Letter - March 2026
Further Help and Support
If you have any questions about the RAISE Programme please contact raise@education-ni.gov.uk