Pictured (back) from L-R is Diane Rhodes, Chair Arts4All; Dr Kate O’Dubhchair, An Teach Ban Centre for Peace Building; Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council and Diane Holt, Director The Link Newtownards. Pictured (front) from L-R is Malachy Mulgrew, Skegoniel/Glandore Common Purpose Cross Interface Group; Katie Hanlon, Director Ballynafeigh Community Development Association; Lorraine Johnston Skegoniel/Glandore Common Purpose Cross Interface Group; and Mary Southwell, International Fund for Ireland.

On 1 May, as part of Community Relations Week, The International Fund for Ireland through the Fund’s Community Bridges Programme officially launched funding for five diverse community based projects at an event at Ballynafeigh Community Development Association’s premises in South Belfast. The projects received grants totalling £1.3 million.

The five groups who received funding were Ballynafeigh Community Development Association; An Teach Ban Centre for Peace Building, Downings, Co. Donegal; Arts4All, Belfast; The Link, Newtownards; and Skegoniel / Glandore Common Purpose Group, Belfast.

This latest tranche of funding is to encourage each of the community groups to continue to work together, share resources and strive towards improving their local neighbourhoods.

Katie Hanlon, Director Ballynafeigh Community Development Association said: “It is initiatives such as these which will encourage and help our shared communities to work more closely together and to build a better future for the generations to come. Ballynafeigh is a shared neighbourhood and this Programme, with its relationship-building and mentoring, will build on and acknowledge the work that is already being done in Ballynafeigh.

“We have been working towards regenerating our neighbourhood since we were established back in 1974. In the current economic climate, investors are walking away from areas where there is a history of sectarian violence. It is therefore vital that communities rise to the challenge to implement positive change and promote their communities as attractive areas for new business and regeneration.

“We are grateful to the funding received from the International Fund for Ireland, through the Community Bridges Programme. The funding will help launch our interdependence project which will encourage associations and community groups in the diverse South Belfast area to work together and participate in joint projects.”