County Down Rural Community Network
Helping Communities Help Themselves
About CDRCN
County Down Rural Community Network is an umbrella body representing and working with over 400 community-based groups across much of Ards, North Down, Down and South Armagh.
Our Services
County Down Rural Community Network works to address rural poverty and disadvantage, tackle health inequalities, build positive relationships and local capacity, and promote rural regeneration, inclusivity, and accessibility.
Community Development Support
County Down Rural Community Network works with local people at grassroots level in their own communities.
CDRCN offers support through information, capacity building and practical assistance to equip individuals and groups of people with the tools they need to take collective action, empowering them to make positive change within their communities.
Community
Health & Wellbeing
County Down Rural Community Network promotes community health development across the Ards Peninsula and the legacy Down District Council area through a range of programmes and targeted supports.
CDRCN works to create the conditions for individuals and communities to take control of their own lives, addressing health inequalities and helping people to improve their health and wellbeing.
Activities
& Training
Calendar
County Down Rural Community Network provides training, advice, guidance and practical support to communities and member groups.
Our Impact
2024 – 2025
- £400K Micro Grants to 300 small rural groups
- 120 agencies working in partnership
- £900k of grant aid secured for 55 voluntary organisations
- 406 members of voluntary organisations directly supported
- 27 training courses, 532 participants
- 60 events, 5500 attendees
Become a Member of CDRCN
Membership of County Down Rural Community Network is FREE and open to all community-based organisations in the Council areas of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and Ards and North Down Borough Council.
Latest News
Arts Council of Northern Ireland - Digital Evolution Awards, see below for more information.
Also check out their website at artscouncil-ni.org/funding-for-organisations/organisations-digital-evolution-awardsWe are welcoming applications to our #NationalLottery Organisations Digital Evolution Awards.
The programme aims to support organisations creating digital arts projects or creating opportunities for NI audiences to experience digital art.
As one of the Arts Council’s core National Lottery funding programmes, it has awarded £237,000 to support 24 digital arts projects across the region to date.
📅 Application deadline: 12 noon, 26 November 2026.
Visit our website for more information and to apply. ...
Financial Assistance 2027-2028 – Call 1 - See below
Opening Date: Monday 19 October 2026 at 12noon
Closing Date: Monday 30 November 2026 at 12noon
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council invites applications from the Community and Voluntary Sector (i.e. not-for-profit) for Financial Assistance towards the thematic areas outlined below:
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Community Engagement
Community Events and Festivals
Community Growing ‘Lets Grown NMD’
Community Summer Schemes
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
Good Relations
Irish Language
Local Biodiversity Enhancement
Minority Communities
PCSP Community Safety and Support
Sports Programmes
Suicide Prevention and Emotional Wellbeing
Tourism Events
For further information follow the link to the Council's Website at www.newrymournedown.org/residents-grants-and-funding
All themes are subject to funding availability. Late application submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.📣 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 📣
𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟖 – 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝟏 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞:
🟢 Monday 19 October 2026 7pm, Newry Leisure Centre
🟢 Thursday 22 October 2026 7pm, Down Leisure Centre
🟢 Wednesday 4 November 2026 12:30pm, MS Teams
The workshops will provide an overview of the themes and information for the 2027-28 financial assistance and guidance for potential applicants.
For further information and to book your place via TicketSource👇https://tinyurl.com/mr2tkspv
#FinancialAssistance #GrantAid #Funding ...
🌟 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬
Connection, friendship and support were at the heart of a successful Tackling Isolation and Loneliness Together event in Newcastle as residents came together to celebrate Positive Ageing Month. 💙
Hosted by our Downpatrick, Mournes, Rowallane and Slieve Croob DEA Forums in partnership with County Down Rural Community Network, the event provided a great opportunity for people to connect, access local support services and enjoy a day of information and entertainment. 😊
Huge thanks to everyone who attended and to our partners for helping make the event such a success. It was a fantastic day of community spirit, meaningful conversations and new connections 🤝
Read more: tinyurl.com/e2nxwjmt ...