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23 February 2011

NICVA, in conjunction with the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), has now commenced year three of the £2.1 million Community Leadership Programme (CLP) for Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.

Congratulations to the 44 groups that have been awarded places on the 2011-2012 programme and start their community leadership journey with a series of three round-table events.  Each group has nominated five individuals who will work towards achieving a level three award in Leadership from the Institute of Leadership and Management. The group will also have the opportunity to tailor a training programme to meet the needs of their group and receive a bursary of £2,500 (€2,750) to undertake an action-learning project.

Úna McKernan from NICVA commented “This is now the third year of this very successful programme. The first 27 groups completed the programme in 2009-10 and 27 groups from year two have almost completed their learning pathways, ending in March 2011. All groups are showing lots of evidence of improved leadership skills, which can only benefit how their groups are run and the local communities they operate in.”

The round-table events kicked off in Ballymena earlier this month and continue in Enniskillen and Belfast throughout February and early March.  The events have proven to be very successful at bringing together clusters of groups in order for them to network and learn from each other.

John Carson from the International Fund for Ireland encouraged participants to give the time and effort required to complete this leadership programme. He said “The Fund is making a big investment in developing community leadership to change communities for the better, and it is now up to you to make the most of it.”

Programme contributor, Richard O’Rawe from Stellar Leadership, challenged the groups present to unlock their leadership potential. He urged them to actively influence people in their local communities and to bring real change through strong leadership. Quoting Ghandi he said “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

The groups on year three of the CLP are:

Altamuskin Community Centre                                         Omagh

Avenue Road Residents Committee (ARC)                   Portadown

Bailieborough Development Association                                   Bailieborough

Ballintrillick Environmental Group Ltd                            Ballintrillick

Ballybogey Community Association                                Ballymoney

Ballycarry Community Association                                   Ballycarry

Bloomfield Community Association                                 Bangor

Compassion at Causeway Coast Vineyard                    Portstewart

Corpus Christi Youth Centre                                             Belfast

Donagh Development Association                                  Lisnaskea

Donegal Family Resource Centre                                               Donegal

Drumbeg North and South Residents Association       Craigavon

Easkey Community Council Ltd                                      Co. Sligo

Garrison Community Sporting and Social Club             Garrison

Glenfield – Castlemara PAKT                                           Carrickfergus

Grange Residents Association                                         Newtownabbey

Greystone Residents Association                                               Antrim

Hilltown Community Association                                     Hilltown

Hope Connected                                                                 Belfast

Kiltonga Christian Centre                                                 Newtownards

Knockatallon Development Committee                           Knockatallon

Lifford Circle Group                                                            Donegal

Ligoniel Improvement Association                                              Belfast

Mohill Family Support Centre                                            Mohill

Monkstown Community Association                                Newtownabbey

Moville & District Family Resource Centre                      Moville

Muckamore Parish Development Association               Antrim

New Lodge Arts                                                                    Belfast

Newhill Community Project                                                         Belfast

Oasis – Caring in Action                                                    Templepatrick

Omawest Community Development Group                    Omagh

Peace Factory                                                                      Dungannon

Rathcoole Somme Society                                                Newtownabbey

Root Soup                                                                             Belfast

Rosses CDP                                                                         Dungloe

Rossinver Youth and Community Project Ltd                Rossinver

Rouskey Community & Development Association        Omagh

Sligo Northside Community Partnership Limited           Sligo

Star Neighbourhood Centre                                              Belfast

Teach Oscail FRC Project Ltd                                           Cavan

The Vineyard Centre                                                           Portadown

Threeways Community Association                                 Newry

Truagh Development Association                                               Emyvale

Wishing Well Family Centre                                              Belfast