About BCPP
Funded by
The Building the Community Pharmacy Partnership (BCPP) is a regional community development programme funded by the Department of Health (DoH), with strategic oversight provided by a multi-disciplinary steering group.
BCPP brings communities and community pharmacies together to improve health and wellbeing and address the root causes of health inequalities.
BCPP enables communities and community pharmacists to work in partnership. By combining lived experience, community knowledge and professional expertise, projects support people to improve health and address the factors that contribute to health inequalities.
Our Community Development Approach
At the heart of BCPP is a community development approach, which recognises that people are experts in their own lives and that lasting change happens when communities are actively involved in identifying needs, shaping solutions, and taking action.
Community members and pharmacists work as equal partners, this strengthens relationships, breaks down traditional barriers and builds trust.
Our Steering Group
BCPP is supported by a multi-disciplinary Steering Group made up of representatives from the community, voluntary, statutory and private sectors. The group provides strategic direction, governance and oversight, to ensure the programme remains fair, transparent and evidence-informed.
Our support
We support applicants to develop project ideas and navigate the funding process. Once funded, partnerships receive mentoring support and training in community development, health inequalities, group work, monitoring and evaluation.
Criteria and Process
To be considered for BCPP funding, applications must demonstrate:
- A summary of the proposed project
- Evidence of an identified need
- Strong partnership working
- Involvement of external partners
- A well-defined plan for recruitment and engagement
- A clear understanding of the intended impact
- Realistic and appropriate costings
- Value for money
Who is not eligible?
- Qualified pharmacists not associated/affiliated to a pharmacy holding a HSCB contract are not eligible to apply.
- Private companies and statutory organisations.
- Third party applicants e.g. an organisation applying as lead partner to deliver the project in a different community organisation.
Application Timeline
The BCPP funding programme operates on an ongoing basis, meaning applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year. However, there are two designated closing dates annually, which are promoted through the CDHN website and social media channels.
How to apply
BCPP funding is open to constituted community/voluntary organisations and community pharmacies based in Northern Ireland. Either can be the lead applicant but both partners must be named in the application form.
- A constituted community/voluntary organisation is a group which may be run on a voluntary basis and is set up as an organisation with a management committee, constitution and its own bank account. A copy of the constitution will be required with the application.
- The community pharmacy must hold a current contract with HSCB.
Apply to BCPP
Two Project Levels
Level 1 – Taster Project Level 2 – Full Project
Duration: Up to 6 months Up to 12 months
Funding: Up to £2,500 Up to £12,000
For support, contact a member of the BCPP Team on 028 3026 4606 or bcpp@cdhn.org.
BCPP Impact
For 25 years, BCPP has brought communities and community pharmacies together to improve health and reduce health inequalities. Our evaluation demonstrates the impact of these partnerships and the effectiveness of community development approaches in creating healthier communities.
FAQs
A pharmacist with from their pharmacy contractor, a constituted community/voluntary group.
Level 1 projects are short ‘taster’ projects that introduce partners to the BCPP approach. They allow community and pharmacy partners to test collaboration, delivery and reporting processes.
Organisations that have previously received Level 2 funding are not normally eligible to apply for Level 1 again. However, exceptions may be considered in certain circumstances, such as when working with a new partner, engaging with a different group or supporting a group with significantly different needs.
Partnership in BCPP means community pharmacies, local people and organisations working together as equal partners, sharing skills, knowledge and experience to improve health and wellbeing.
The following are not eligible to apply for BCPP funding:
- Private companies and statutory organisations.
- Third-party applicants, such as organisations applying as the lead partner on behalf of another community group.
- Individual qualified pharmacists who are not affiliated with a pharmacy holding a contract.
Yes, it is possible to apply for Level 2 funding without first completing a Level 1 project. Some organisations may already have the knowledge, experience and capacity needed to deliver a full Level 2 project. In these cases, they can apply directly for Level 2 funding where they can demonstrate their readiness to effectively implement the programme.
Whether you are a pharmacist or a community group, find out what is happening in your area then think about how you could connect with this. CDHN is a membership organisation and can help you make links and partnerships if needed.
- The project does not meet the funding criteria
- The application form is incomplete
- An outdated version of the application form has been submitted.
- The application duplicates all or part of a previously application
- The application does not achieve the minimum required score