The Communities in The Communities in Transition ProgrammeTransition Programme

Forum for Cities in Forum for Cities in TransitionTransition

2525thth May 2011 May 2011

ContextContext

The CIT Programme seeks to build relationships within and The CIT Programme seeks to build relationships within and between people and communities, to promote local participation between people and communities, to promote local participation in community development and peacebuilding and to create in community development and peacebuilding and to create community cohesion by offering opportunities and support that community cohesion by offering opportunities and support that had not been previously available to the selected areas.had not been previously available to the selected areas.

It recognises the particular difficulties facing communities It recognises the particular difficulties facing communities experiencing weak community infrastructure and sees the process experiencing weak community infrastructure and sees the process adopted by the Programme as an important step in redressing the adopted by the Programme as an important step in redressing the imbalance created by the previous lack of investment in social imbalance created by the previous lack of investment in social capital, especially in areas that continue to experience the legacy capital, especially in areas that continue to experience the legacy of the conflict, alienation and/or marginalisation.of the conflict, alienation and/or marginalisation.

Context (cont’d) Context (cont’d)

Addressing weak community infrastructure in areas of community Addressing weak community infrastructure in areas of community tension requires long-term investment of time and, to a lesser tension requires long-term investment of time and, to a lesser extent, resources (not just financial resources). It requires face-to-extent, resources (not just financial resources). It requires face-to-face support and advice; it is not a process that can be managed face support and advice; it is not a process that can be managed from an office and is not one that can be resolved through a quick-from an office and is not one that can be resolved through a quick-fix injection of money to “balance the books” with other areas.fix injection of money to “balance the books” with other areas.

Supporting areas of weak community infrastructure and Supporting areas of weak community infrastructure and community tension involves a certain amount of risk taking. But, community tension involves a certain amount of risk taking. But, unless someone starts things moving, these communities will unless someone starts things moving, these communities will remain excluded and become further alienated at considerable remain excluded and become further alienated at considerable social and economic costs to themselves and Northern Ireland.social and economic costs to themselves and Northern Ireland.

Communities in TransitionCommunities in TransitionLocal Project Areas Local Project Areas

CIT 1CIT 1 Clady/Innisrush/PortglenoneClady/Innisrush/Portglenone Crumlin (Co Antrim)Crumlin (Co Antrim) Harpur’s Hill (Coleraine)Harpur’s Hill (Coleraine) Harryville (Ballymena)Harryville (Ballymena) Melmount estates (Strabane)Melmount estates (Strabane) Mosside (Moyle)Mosside (Moyle) Northlands/Sunnylands Northlands/Sunnylands

(Carrickfergus)(Carrickfergus) Seacourt (Larne)Seacourt (Larne) Newtowncunningham (Co Newtowncunningham (Co

Donegal)Donegal) Six small villages in rural Six small villages in rural

north Cavannorth Cavan

CIT 2CIT 2 Dromore (Co Down)Dromore (Co Down) Seapatrick (Banbridge)Seapatrick (Banbridge) Cregagh/Clonduff Cregagh/Clonduff

(Castlereagh)(Castlereagh) Lisnahull (Dungannon)Lisnahull (Dungannon) Queen Street and Avenue Queen Street and Avenue

Road (Lurgan)Road (Lurgan) Annsborough (Castlewellan)Annsborough (Castlewellan) Lisanally/Alexander (Armagh)Lisanally/Alexander (Armagh) Parkmore (Craigavon)Parkmore (Craigavon) Antiville/Craigyhill (Larne)Antiville/Craigyhill (Larne) Doury Road (Ballymena)Doury Road (Ballymena)

ObjectivesObjectives To promote the establishment and development of To promote the establishment and development of

community infrastructure in ten disadvantaged areas and community infrastructure in ten disadvantaged areas and to nurture and sustain the participation of those excluded to nurture and sustain the participation of those excluded or at risk of exclusion.or at risk of exclusion.

To develop the capacity of the selected communities and To develop the capacity of the selected communities and participants to engage in inclusive community participants to engage in inclusive community organising.organising.

To identify and address the issues of cultural, economic To identify and address the issues of cultural, economic and political alienation of community groups within areas and political alienation of community groups within areas of weak community infrastructure that are experiencing of weak community infrastructure that are experiencing community tensions.community tensions.

Objectives (cont’d)Objectives (cont’d)

To influence policy-making at local and regional levels To influence policy-making at local and regional levels in relation to areas of weak community infrastructure in relation to areas of weak community infrastructure that are also experiencing community tensions.that are also experiencing community tensions.

To impact upon the current perceptions of a range of To impact upon the current perceptions of a range of political parties and their representatives with regard to political parties and their representatives with regard to the potential of community action and development.the potential of community action and development.

IssuesIssues

Intracommunity TensionIntracommunity Tension

Intercommunity TensionIntercommunity Tension

Political InterferencePolitical Interference

Negative PublicityNegative Publicity

Antisocial BehaviourAntisocial Behaviour

GatekeepingGatekeeping

InvolvementInvolvement Support NeededSupport Needed Overcoming BarriersOvercoming Barriers RepresentativenessRepresentativeness Risk TakingRisk Taking FlexibilityFlexibility

Lessons Learned: Key Lessons Learned: Key Principles Principles

ResultsResults

Personal EmpowermentPersonal Empowerment

Development of Community OrganisationsDevelopment of Community Organisations

Power Relationships and ParticipationPower Relationships and Participation

Employment (23 local jobs created through CIT 1)Employment (23 local jobs created through CIT 1)

Additional Funding levied = £11.8million for CIT 1Additional Funding levied = £11.8million for CIT 1

Community CapacityCommunity Capacity

Social CapitalSocial Capital

Community CapabilityCommunity Capability

NetworkingNetworking

Addressing the Legacy of the ConflictAddressing the Legacy of the Conflict

SustainabilitySustainability

Contact: Kat Healy Policy, Research and Evaluation OfficerTel: 0(044)2871 371547Email: khealy@communityfoundationni.org