Top marks for Ciara

On Friday 6 July over 50 individuals from voluntary and community organisations across Northern Ireland and the six southern Border counties graduated from the University of Ulster with a Certificate in Management Practice.

This qualification was part of the Community Leadership Programme, funded by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) and delivered by NICVA. The ceremony was held at the Waterfront Hall.

The Community Leadership Programme is a year long training programme for community groups, where they receive free leadership training, a bursary of £2,500 and a University of Ulster Certificate in Management Practice.

NICVA is pleased to announce that the IFI Community Leadership Programme has been extended for another year

Dr Adrian Johnston, Chairman, 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 to develop and grow, and now in its final year, we would encourage them to apply”.

Una McKernan from NICVA commented: “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 CLP which continues to offer exciting and innovative training and learning opportunities which aim to strengthen the leadership capacity of community groups.”

Further information and expression of interest forms are available on the Community Leadership Programme website at www. communityleadership programme.org or by calling Sandra Bailie on 028 9087 7777 or from ROI +44 (0) 28 9087 7777.

Groups interested in the 2012/2013 programme should complete an expression of interest form by 31 August 2012 and return to [email protected] or CLP Coordinator, NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GB.