Funding for north belfast communities will help tackle local needs - 10 July 2003

The Minister with responsibility for Community Relations, Rt Hon John Spellar MP, today announced that £795,000 is to be allocated to community partnerships in North Belfast in order to deliver programmes targeted at local need.

The funding is being allocated under phase one of the North Belfast Community Capacity Building Programme, which encourages Community Groups in North Belfast to implement self help programmes and brings to just over £1 million the total allocated by the North Belfast Community Action Unit this year.

John Spellar said: "Today’s announcement is another example of how we intend to tackle community need by providing resources for Community Empowerment Partnerships to develop and deliver their own programmes to tackle local issues.

"The Community Capacity Building Programme aims to ensure that development work is focused on building skills and confidence among the community in North Belfast. The funds from this initial allocation will mean that Community Empowerment Partnerships can now be developed to plan and implement targeted social and economic programmes, including communication and regeneration strategies, alongside initiatives designed to increase and promote links within and between local communities.

"This Programme will make an important contribution to community development and community relations in North Belfast and I commend everyone involved in its implementation."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Allocations have been made to the following Consortia:

Ardoyne and Marrowbone - £66,000

Upper North Belfast Community Empowerment Partnership - £178,000

Cliftonville Community Empowerment Partnership - £135,000

Lower North Belfast Community Empowerment Partnership - £95,000

Greater New Lodge Community Empowerment Plan - £86,000

Ligoneil Village Regeneration Empowerment Project  - £69,000

Citizen Youth Partnership incorporating Scoutlink - £40,000

North Belfast Developing Leadership Initiative (Intercomm) - £126,000

Further information can be obtained from:

North Belfast Community Action Unit
Enterprise House
55-59 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8FE

Telephone: 028 9072 6014