Des Browne announces self-help programme for North Belfast - 14 April 2003

A new self-help Programme for North Belfast communities was announced today by the Minister with responsibility for community relations, Des Browne, MP.

The announcement follows the Minister’s decision in November 2002 to make £3 million available to develop communities in North Belfast to encourage dialogue and partnership.

Des Browne said: "The North Belfast Community Action Unit has worked with representatives of the local community groups to design the new programme, which will encourage communities to work together in partnership to boost local capacity. I commend this initiative, which seeks to resolve conflict, create new links and build trust between and within communities in North Belfast. I am delighted that the Unit will continue to build on the foundation it has already established within North Belfast communities by developing this new Programme to boost the capacity of the local community to help itself.

"The Programme will support a number of innovative North Belfast Community Empowerment Partnerships that will emerge from proposals to be submitted to the Department by 6 June 2003."

Welcoming the decision Evelyn Cummins, Head of the North Belfast Unit, said: "The Programme will be community led but will also involve many of the key public agencies working in the area. Officials in the Unit will work closely with the emerging partnerships to encourage and facilitate these innovative arrangements. All proposals will be considered by a Panel representing both statutory and community interests."

Ms Cummins also commented that the Unit would continue to work in conjunction with other Departments, statutory providers and funding agencies to implement a Programme to assist in the wider development of North Belfast.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Des Browne announced the £3 million funding on 13 November during a visit to a North Belfast project.

The £3 million funding allows for the development of a programme of community capacity building in North Belfast. Decisions on agreed proposals from community groups will be made by the end of June and implementation of the proposals will follow immediately thereafter.

The North Belfast Community Action Project, chaired by Rev John Dunlop, originally recommended the new programme. The Project’s Report was published at the end of May last year and is available on the Internet at: www.northbelfastcommunityactionunit.org

Further information can be obtained from the

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

Telephone 028 9072 6014