RAISE General Information
Update on the RAISE Call for Locality Led Projects
Following the first RAISE Call for Locality Led Projects, 65 Locality Led Projects, up to a value of £3.84million, have been selected to advance further in the process.
Further information can be found below in Call for Locality Led Projects.
On 18 March 2026, The Education Minister launched the RAISE Home School Community Connections Call for Locality Led Projects.
On 19 March 2026, The Education Minister launched the RAISE Call 2 for Locality Led Projects.
RAISE General Information
The RAISE Programme is present within 18 localities across Northern Ireland set out below. Further information can be found on the localities page.
| Antrim |
| Ballymena |
| Belfast |
| Carrickfergus |
| Coleraine |
| Derry / Londonderry |
| Dungannon & Coalisland |
| Enniskillen |
| Limavady |
| Lisburn |
| Lurgan and Brownlow |
| Millisle and Donaghadee |
| Newry |
| Newtownabbey |
| Portadown |
RAISE Summary Document
More information on the RAISE Programme can be found in the summary document.
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:
Developing a Strategic Area Plan
Bespoke local Strategic Area Plans have been developed 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. To drive forward the development of the Strategic Area Plan, a Locality Reference Group has been established in each RAISE locality. In terms of the available budget, 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 guidance and will be subject to the approval of the Strategic Area Plan.
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 Strategic Area Plan.
RAISE Locality Led Projects - Guidance
The second Call for Locality led Projects opened on 19 March 2026 and will close 29 April 2026 at 12 noon.
Information provided in Locality Led Proposals will be assessed and scored by an Assessment Panel in April/May 2026.
- RAISE Locality Led Projects - identification of RAISE Locality Led Project and RAISE Locality Led Project Identification Template Guidance Notes
- RAISE Assessment Panel Scoring Guidance
- RAISE Evaluation Framework
- RAISE Stakeholder Letter - September 2025
- RAISE Stakeholder Letter - March 2026
Call for Locality Led Projects
To deliver against the objectives and high-level actions set out in RAISE Strategic Area Plans, a series of Locality Led Projects will be identified through an open call for projects.
The second Call for Locality Led Projects opened on 19 March 2026 and will close 29 April 2026 at 12 noon.
Call for Locality Led Projects- Call 2
RAISE Call for Locality Led Projects
Call for Locality Led Projects - Call 1
Following the first RAISE Call for Locality Led Projects, 65 Locality Led Projects, up to a value of £3.84 million, have been selected to advance further in the process.
These Locality Led Projects will deliver some of the key objectives outlined in the RAISE Strategic Area Plans.
Further details of the Locality Led Projects that have been selected to advance further in the process and a copy of a letter issued to update all stakeholders can be found in the links below.
Locality Led Projects selected to advance further in the process
RAISE Programme Update - Stakeholder Letter - December 2025
Home School Community Connections
Twelve of the 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 Minister of Education agreed that these objectives should be held back from Call One to determine the most appropriate way forward. The Department is now seeking proposals to enhance links between home, school and community, to deliver against the relevant objectives in those localities.
Engagement with Children, Young People and Parents
Children and young people are at the centre of the RAISE Programme. RAISE had 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.
RAISE Children, Young People and Parents - Engagement Reports
Further Help and Support
If you have any questions about the RAISE Programme please contact raise@education-ni.gov.uk