Milestone reinforces long‑term commitment to communities across Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s leading full fibre broadband provider, Fibrus, has surpassed £1 million in community investment across its footprint in Northern Ireland and Cumbria, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to the communities it serves.
Of the £1 million invested to date, more than £590,000 has been directed into communities across Northern Ireland, supporting grassroots organisations, sports clubs and local charities.
Achieved just six years after launching in Northern Ireland, the investment reflects the scale and ambition of Fibrus’ community initiatives, including the Fibrus Community Fund, Play It Forward and its chosen local Charities of the Year programme.
Reflecting on the milestone, Colin Hutchinson, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of Fibrus said:
“Reaching this £1 million milestone is a defining moment for Fibrus. From day one, we’ve believed our role goes beyond delivering full fibre broadband, it’s about strengthening the communities we serve.
The level of demand we see each year shows just how important these funding platforms are to grassroots groups and sports clubs across Northern Ireland. With over £590,000 invested locally, we’re proud of the impact made so far, and we’re committed to building on that momentum as we continue to expand.”
Established in 2021 and delivered in partnership with Community Foundation Northern Ireland, the Fibrus Community Fund focuses on addressing digital poverty and promoting inclusion in rural communities. To date, it has provided over £230,000 to grassroots organisations – supporting a wide range of local clubs, youth groups and community initiatives. Including, North Belfast based Community Football Company who recently received funding to purchase additional digital resources for its Play & Learn programme, which is a free wellness initiative combining soccer and a homework club to encourage digital literacy learning among participants.
Orla Black, Director of Grants and Fund Development, Community Foundation NI, said the funding is making a real difference in communities across the region, adding:
“The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland would like to congratulate Fibrus on reaching this impressive milestone. Their continued commitment to community building through this investment is amazing.
We see the positive impact of this funding every day in the communities we work with, from rural clubs gaining essential equipment to young people accessing digital tools they otherwise wouldn’t have.
This support is creating real change at a local level, and we’re pleased to partner with Fibrus in helping this happen.”
Play It Forward, launched in 2023, has invested £110,000 in children’s sports clubs, supporting kits, equipment and facility improvements. Clubs across NI have benefited from the initiative, which promotes physical activity and social connection for young people across rural communities. Including Ski Ability NI, a Craigavon-based charity who offer all levels ski instruction for children with additional needs, where funding will directly benefit 50 members of the club.
Fibrus colleagues nominate and support local Charities of the Year – including PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland, Air Ambulance NI, Northern Ireland Hospice and Cancer Fund for Children, raising over £75,000 to date through colleague-led fundraising, from Fibrus Traitors and 7-a-side football tournaments to bake-offs and other initiatives.
This major milestone follows the completion of Project Stratum, which connected over 81,000 homes and businesses to full fibre broadband in some of the region’s hardest-to-reach areas.
In December 2025, Fibrus secured Project Gigabit – its second major contract win in the region, bringing gigabit-capable broadband to a further 9,000 rural homes and businesses, reinforcing the company’s commitment to regional development.
