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 was given to applications from organisations:-

• Located in areas that had experienced a high degree of violence and polarisation;
• Worked to secure a shared future for young people and future generations;
• Undertook work with single identity communities where there was a clear path towards cross-community engagement and reconciliation and clear evidence of buy-in from the local community.

The Programme gave preference to proposals:-

• That made a lasting positive impact on division and conflict.
• That added value and created bridges to other Fund initiatives.
• Demonstrated community leadership towards a Shared Future.
• Targeted at geographic areas where there had previously been limited Community Bridges involvement and
• Addressed strategic gaps in community relations reconciliation provision.

Indicative Areas of Interest

Priority was given to applications which supported:-

• 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.

The Community Bridges Programme is now closed for all Expression of Interest Applications (September 2010). All queries should contact a member of staff below.

Community Bridges Programme staff

Joe Hinds- Programme Director - jhinds@nicrc.org.uk

Gillian Revie - Development Officer - grevie@nicrc.org.uk

Dorothy Monaghan- Evaluation and Learning Officer - dmonaghan@nicrc.org.uk

Emer Lyttle - Development Officer - elyttle@nicrc.org.uk

Charlotte-Rose McNaught - Finance Officer - cmcnaught@nicrc.org.uk

Joanna Gawlik - Project support - jgawlik@nicrc.org.uk