Where are we now

The Unit continues to work closely with 13 Community Empowerment Partnerships (CEP). It supports them to deliver building capacity programmes to the people living in North Belfast.

Under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative the Office of the First and Deputy First minister (OFMDFM) took charge of the Crumlin Road Gaol Site in 2003.  The Minister announced in January 2004 that £3.8 million from the sale of an old army barracks could be used to help pay to develop the site.

In February 2005 Government announced its decision to close Girdwood Army Barracks. Responsibility for the development of Girdwood Barracks has been transferred to the North Belfast Community Action Unit.

In 2005 it became clear that OFMDFM and the Department for Social Development (DSD) could work together more effectively. The Unit transferred to DSD on 1 September 2005

The work of the Unit was evaluated in May 2006 and while the recommendations from this evaluation are considered Minister agreed that the Community Empowerment Partnerships will receive an additional £1.25m to help them to continue their work until September 2006 and a further £1.25million until March 2007.