Representatives from Doohamlet District Community Development Association (Monaghan), Edgarstown Residents Association (Armagh), Links ECF (Lurgan), Mullaghmatt/Cortoliuin Residents Group (Monaghan),PAKT (Ballymena),PLACE (Armagh),REACT (Armagh),Sixmilecross Enterprise Ltd (Tyrone), TIDAL (Toombridge), groups from year one Community Leadership Programme (CLP) at the first round table event in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown on 28 April 2009.

The Community Leadership Programme (CLP) is an exciting and innovative training and learning programme which aims to strengthen the leadership capacities of community groups in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.  The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) has been appointed by the Fund as the delivery agent to run the Community Leadership Programme (CLP).

In year one, 27 groups took part, finishing the programme in May 2010.  A further 31 groups have now been selected for year two of the Programme, which will begin in March.   

Una McKernan, Director of Corporate Services at NICVA said: “The Programme aims to build the capacity of groups so that they will be able to work together to address issues, network with others, improve their community and influence policies that effect local people’s lives.”

The Programme is targeted at grass-roots community groups working at a local level to develop their communities and is a one year leadership journey for groups. By participating a group and its committee will have the opportunity to:

• Build the management and leadership capacity in your organisation.
• Participate in ten action learning sessions with a dedicated facilitator for your group.
• Benefit from a governance review, if one is required.
• Receive ongoing support and advice from NICVA.
• Network at three roundtable workshops with others from the Leadership Programme.
• Achieve accreditation for individuals at Institute of Leadership and Management level 3.
• Opportunity for up to two people to gain Certificate in Management Practice from University of Ulster free of charge.
• Receive a maximum bursary of £2,500 (2,750 Euro) for an action-learning project of your choice.

Darryn Causby a year one participant from PLACE Portadown commented: “Our group are having a fantastic experience doing the CLP”.  

Debbie Graham from PAKT in Ballymena also a participant on year one of the Programme added: “We have learned so much since we started and are gaining loads of confidence”.

For further information about the Community Leadership Programme and/or an expression of interest form to take part in the 2011 Programme, go to www.communityleadershipprogramme.org or please contact: