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The programme offers free leadership training and a bursary of £2,500 for individual community groups.

Dr Adrian Johnston, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the extension of the Community Leadership Programme. Over the past three years the programme has gone from strength to strength, with individuals and groups participating in action learning sessions, round table workshops, Institute of Leadership and Management accreditation and, for some, participation in the University of Ulster Certificate in Management Practice. This is a fantastic opportunity for groups in the Carrickfergus area to develop and grow, and now in its final year, we would encourage them to apply.”

Una McKernan from the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) added: “To date, over 97 organisations and about 475 individuals have gone through the programme, and are already showing lots of evidence of improved leadership skills, which can only benefit how their organisations are run and the local communities they operate in.”

She continued: “We are delighted that IFI have extended this programme for a fourth year. NICVA is now recruiting for groups to participate in the Community Leadership Programme, which continues to offer exciting and innovative training and learning opportunities which aim to strengthen the leadership capacity of community groups.”

Participating groups will benefit from action learning sessions, bespoke training plans and a bursary of up to £2,500 for an action learning project.

Further information and expression of interest forms are available online at www.communityleadershipprogramme.org or by calling Sandra Bailie on 028 9087 7777.

Groups interested in the 2012/13 programme should submit their expression of interest form to NICVA by August 31.