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ABOUT COMMUNITY
RELATIONS COUNCIL -
OUR
SERVICES
IFI Community Bridges
COMMUNITY BRIDGES PROGRAMME
In January 2007 the NI Community Relations Council acquired the responsibility for the management of the Community Bridges Programme of the International Fund for Ireland. The Community Bridges Programme was established in 1996 with the assistance of staff seconded from the Community Relations Council. The Community Bridges Programme has now become a Directorate within the Council itself. The Council is responsible for the management of the Programme while the International Fund for Ireland retains responsibility of funding decisions.
The Programme operates an annual budget of £3 million, applications are considered initially through an Expression of Interest application process.
During 2007 the following Priority Areas and Indicative Areas of Interest were identified and published:-
Priority will be given to applications from organisations:-
- Located in areas that have experienced a high degree of violence and polarisation;
- Working to secure a shared future for young people and future generations;
- Undertaking work with single identity communities where there is a clear path towards cross-community engagement and reconciliation and clear evidence of buy-in from the local community.
The Programme will give preference to proposals:-
- That make a lasting positive impact on division and conflict.
- That add value and create bridges to other Fund initiatives.
- Demonstrating community leadership towards a Shared Future.
- Targeted at geographic areas where there has previously been limited Community Bridges involvement and
- Addressing strategic gaps in community relations reconciliation provision.
Indicative Areas of Interest
Priority will be given to applications which support:-
- Local inter community development.
- Cross-border engagement in peace building.
- Innovative community relations interventions in education and youth work.
- Emerging areas for intervention under a Shared Future.
- Inter-community partnership development at interface areas.
- Work which assists groups in the conflict transformation process.
- Joint study and reflection of contentious history.
- Capacity building for peace work.
Community Bridges Programme staff
Joe Hinds- Programme Director
Gillian Revie - Development Officer
Dorothy Monaghan- Development Officer
Helen Gillespie- Administrative Assistant
