Second call for proposals for RAISE Locality Led Projects launched

Date published: 19 March 2026

Education Minister Paul Givan has launched the second call for project proposals to raise educational achievement and reduce educational disadvantage under the RAISE programme. 

Organisations are invited to submit project proposals that address key educational priorities identified in the RAISE Strategic Area Plans. 

Paul Givan said: “Many of our children and young people regularly face barriers to learning and achievement.

“The RAISE Programme empowers communities to work together to address challenges rooted in deprivation and provides a significant opportunity for organisations to be part of a transformative, whole community approach to tackling educational disadvantage.

“Moving forward with a second call for project proposals is a significant step in the progress of the RAISE Programme and represents a further investment of £2.7m towards addressing barriers to learning.  I would urge interested organisations to submit proposals which can deliver positive outcomes for the 18 RAISE Localities, against the objectives set out within the call documents. 

“By working collectively, we can remove the barriers to learning being experienced by children and young people across Northern Ireland and help them reach their full potential.” 

The RAISE Programme aims to raise educational achievement and reduce educational disadvantage through a whole community, place-based approach. 

Further information, including the Strategic Area Plans  and Calls for Locality Led Projects can be found on the Department of Education website.

Proposals must be submitted via the RAISE online platform by 12:00 PM on 22 April 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted. The platform can be accessed at https://raise.whole.school/project-bid-form/signup.

All applications will be assessed by a panel comprising Department officials and external experts.