Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network
Engagement Support
NIRWN’s Engagement Officer, Paula, is your dedicated point of contact for issues related to rural women across Northern Ireland. She is eager to hear your ideas about activities you would like to run for your group, training opportunities, funding information, or any other concerns you may have in the current climate.
Paula's main focus is to listen to your challenges, understand what is working well in your community and identify how NIRWN can support you. She will work to enhance NIRWN’s capacity to reach more rural women throughout the region, gather and share important information, and provide a link between rural women and decision-makers on critical issues such as childcare and caring responsibilities, rural transport, social isolation, health and wellbeing, and digital poverty.
If you would like to have a one-on-one chat with Paula, please do not hesitate to get in touch with her.
Regular ezines
1-2-1 Support
Bespoke training and opportunities
Networking and celebration events
Advocacy – ensuring the voice of rural women goes to decision makers
Policy and Research
Women Breaking Barriers.
Women Breaking Barriers aims to help you take the next step in education, training and employment. We understand the need to provide access to flexible and creative work opportunities that suit you. See programme benefits and eligibility criteria below.
Recognised Qualification
You will have the opportunity to take part in accredited and unaccredited training and will receive support to build links with employers. CV building skills and employability support are also available.
1-2-1 Support
All participants will receive 1-2-1 support and mentoring throughout the programme. Training is designed around each participant and their individual needs.
Childcare + Caring
We understand the lack of support when it comes to childcare and caring responsibilities. We are here to help you break that barrier. Any costs incurred for caring and childcare will be re-imbursed.
Travel
Travel expense are re-imbursed for any in-person training.
Animate Build Connect (ABC)
NIRWN have launched a new programme, the ABC (Animate, Build, Connect) Programme which offers tailored support to rural women’s groups to strengthen their capacity, sustainability, grow their impact, and connect with others. Participant groups will receive mentoring, peer learning, workshop access and a £1,000 contribution to support their development.
£1,000 Participaton Contribution
Tailored Support Plan
Peer Learning and Workshops
Simple Application Process
Maximising Community Space Inclusive & Connected Rural Communities
Maximising Community Space (MCS) is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The project is designed to empower community‑based groups that own or manage community facilities, helping them unlock the full potential of these spaces as shared, inclusive, and welcoming venues.
MCS supports organisations to broaden the range and quality of activities they offer, respond more effectively to local needs, and create environments where people from all cultural backgrounds and traditions can come together with confidence. By strengthening community spaces as shared assets, the project aims to build connection, participation, and long‑term sustainability across communities.
Theme 1. Inclusive Leadership
Theme 2. Inclusive Space
Theme 3. Connecting People
& Spaces
The project will work with 40 groups (20 in Northern Ireland and 20 in the border region of Ireland).
Engage With
Policy and advocacy work on Women, Peace and Security
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Training in Human Rights, Equality and Diversity
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Pillars for Peace – a digital toolkit on women’s activism in Northern Ireland
What's Involved
Engagement with political institutions
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Regular learning and best practice visits to places of interest
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Gender equality awareness raising
Women's
Regional Consortium
NIRWN work with six other leading women’s organisations in the Women’s Regional Consortium to give a real voice to women in disadvantaged urban and rural areas. The Women’s Regional Consortium consists of seven women’s sector organisations who have come together to provide a voice for women from disadvantaged and rural areas and support efforts to tackle disadvantage and social exclusion. We work in partnership with each other, statutory and governmental organisations, and local women’s organisations, centres and groups.
Raise Your Voice
Working collectively to tackle sexual harassment and sexual violence across Northern Ireland.
Our goal is to create true cultural change in order to tackle the root causes of these behaviors and empower people to act to change this in their own lives. We know that community safety begins with ending sexual harassment.
Become A Member
NIRWN MEMBERSHIP IS FREE
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If you are interested in becoming a member of NIRWN please complete our simple form below.
This will entitle you to receive:
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An invitation to any events that we will be holding
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An opportunity to be part of our Policy Focus Groups so that your voice goes directly to decision makers
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Information about women’s issues that affect you or your organisation
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Regular e-zines
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Connection to the Regional Women’s Consortium and their services