Local Groups begin work on Community Integration

COMMUNITIES working together was on the agenda as local representatives gathered at the Tullyglass Hotel for the launch of North East PEACE III Partnership’s Phase 2 of its Community Integration Project.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Feb 2012, 10:44 BST

The project will work to increase the confidence, capacity, knowledge and skills of local people across the North East area by engaging in reconciliation, anti-sectarian and anti-racism work.

The project was officially launched by the Mayor of Ballymena, Alderman Hubert Nicholl and Coleraine Borough Councillor David Barbour, representative of the North East PEACE III Partnership.

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Both councillors praised the vision and work of the North East PEACE III Partnership in promoting reconciliation and building positive relationships across the six council areas of Coleraine, Limavady, Ballymoney, Moyle, Ballymena and Larne, through innovative and high quality projects.

The project is supported through the European Union’s PEACE III Programme and is managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the North East PEACE III Partnership.

The event was attended by elected representatives from the six councils that work together in the North East PEACE III Partnership, advocates from various statutory agencies and members from some of the fifty community groups that will be taking part in the initiative.

Also speaking at the event was Colin Neilands, Director of the WEA, lead delivery partner for the project. Mr Neilands said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for community groups to learn and work together to address issues of division and conflict and to promote the benefits of collaboration and celebrating diversity.”

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During the launch delegates were able to view photographs and a DVD illustrating the work that was achieved through the previous Community Integration project in Phase 1 of the programme. One of the past participants, Janine Jackson of Waveney Youth Centre, who will also be involved in the new project, was on hand to talk about her previous.

Running until September 2013 the participating groups will devise and run projects in their own areas as well as engaging in learning events, accredited courses and cultural exchanges.

For further information on the project please contact Colin Neilands: [email protected] 028 9032 9718.