Una McKernan, NICVA (front row, centre) and John Carson, IFI (front row) with representatives from the Belfast groups at the launch of year two of the Community Leadership Programme
NICVA, in conjunction with the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), has now commenced year two of the £2.1 million Community Leadership Programme (CLP) for Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.
Una McKernan from NICVA commented: “This is now the second year of this very successful programme. The first 27 groups have almost completed their training and learning and are showing lots of evidence of improved leadership skills”.
This Programme, delivered by NICVA, was launched in January 2009 and continues to offer exciting and innovative training and learning opportunities which strengthen the leadership capacity of community groups. Year two of the Programme kicks off with a series of three roundtable events. The first roundtable took place at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast on 4 March 2010, with the following groups from Belfast represented:
- Braniel Community Association
- Centre for Health and Wellbeing
- CARR Cavehill Antrim Road Regeneration
- Croi Eanna (Glengormley)
- East Belfast Healthy Living Network
- The Hubb Resources Centre
- Lower Castlereagh Community Group
- Newlodge Schools Cluster
- Seaview Primary School PTA
- St Matthew’s Parents’ Forum
- Women’s Common Path Network
Each of these groups will have the opportunity to tailor a training programme to meet their specific needs and also receive a bursary of £2,500 to undertake a small project.
Joe McGuinness, principal of St Matthew’s Primary School, commented: “The Parents' Forum are delighted to be accepted to the NICVA Community Leadership Programme. St Matthew's Parents' Forum has been established for 3 years and aims to provide opportunities for parents of school children to become active in their own community and interact with other communities. We feel that participation in the Community Leadership Programme can only strengthen the leadership capacity of our group."
Recruitment for year three of the Programme will commence this summer so please contact NICVA if your community group is interested in participating.