Safefood is inviting applications for funding for its Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Innovate Funding.

The Community Food Initiatives programme aims to empower people in low-income communities to make healthier food choices. It funds local projects that improve access to healthy and safe food using a community development approach. Since 2010, over 65,000 people have taken part in a Community Food Initiative activity.

The Community Food Initiatives Programme 2025-28 is funded by Safefood and administered by SECAD Partnership CLG.

Safefood is an all-island implementation body set up under the British-Irish Agreement (1999) to promote awareness and knowledge of food safety and healthy eating on the island of Ireland.

CFI Innovate (formerly CFI at Home) will fund organisations to deliver one off projects. Funding can be used to deliver projects that take a programme approach where participants are supported over a period of time. Funding can also be used to deliver other innovative projects or initiatives that use food as a vehicle to address key health and social concerns for the local community.

There are 2 options for the delivery of a CFI Innovate project:

1. CFI Innovate small project
2. CFI Innovate – improving availability and access to safe and healthy food

An overview of CFI Innovate can be viewed through clicking on this link: CFI Innovate overview.

Funding

Interested organisations can apply for funding up to a maximum of €1,500 or the sterling equivalent to deliver a project in their local area.

Applicant Organisation Criteria

Organisations must:

• Be community-led organisations with a legal status and appropriate governance structure
• Be experienced in the management of public funds which support social inclusion initiatives
• Currently employ and manage professionals with community development experience
• Have experience of working with the target group identified
• Be supporting other broader community initiatives through their work
• Provide supports across communities irrespective of age, race or creed

How to apply

Please contact Sinéad Conroy in SECAD Partnership for details on the programme and how to apply for the funding at:
E: sconroy@secad.ie
M: +353 (0)87 354 3606