North Belfast residents invited to get involved in the future of their community - 30 October 2006

A series of information meetings will be held across North Belfast to discuss how local residents can get involved in their community.

The meetings, which are open to all local residents, are being hosted by the Department for Social Development’s North Belfast Community Action Unit (NBCAU), in partnership with North Belfast’s Community Empowerment Partnerships (CEPs).

The NBCAU funds a number of CEPs through its Capacity Building Programme.  This programme aims to help improve the lives of residents through skills and confidence building.

Minister for Social Development David Hanson MP today encouraged everyone to come along to their local information evening.  He said: “It is important that local communities feel involved in this programme.  I would encourage all residents to attend one of these meetings to hear how they can participate.”

An information meeting will be held in each of the CEP areas, running from 30 October 2006 – 20 November 2006.  Local residents will have the opportunity to hear what the CEPs have planned for the immediate future and how they can get involved.

1.The North Belfast Community Action Unit was established in August 2002 following an independent report on social, economic and community problems in North Belfast  The Unit was originally set up to:

2. In 2006/07 Government funding of £2.4 million was offered to support community capacity building.

3. The Community Empowerment Partnerships have been funded for the past three years by the North Belfast Community Action Unit. Further information on the North Belfast Community Action Unit and the Community Empowerment Partnerships is available on the website www.northbelfastcommunityactionunit.org

4. Information Meetings Schedule