Observatory Project Publications
The Observatory Project produced the following publications, they were all written by Iris Elliot, Observatory Facilitator.
Making Social Investment Work: Response to the Social Investment Fund Consultation
(December 2012)
This publication uses the opportunity of the Northern Ireland Executive’s consultation on the Social Investment Fund to engage in a broader, critical debate about investing in communities. It provides an analysis of the Government’s proposals and considers alternative approaches in the areas of: initial and continuing learning; the scope of issues; relation of social and economic issues; good relations and interface areas; governance structure and community involvement; integral evaluation; spending: proportions and mechanisms; and innovation. Production of this paper was supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
Download the publication here.
Community Support Needs: A Departmental and Local Authority Perspective
(February 2012)
This report provides an analysis of local authority and departmental plans and strategies including: Community Support Plans, Community Development Plans, and Good relations and Community Safety Strategies. It reviews local authority initiatives in respect to Community Planning and the Power of Wellbeing. In the context of a renewed commitment to the restructuring of local government in the Programme for Government, this commissioned study makes operational, strategic and partnership recommendations.
Download the publication here.
Economic Justice and the Community Sector: continuing the conversation
(February 2012)
‘Continuing the Conversation’ is a collection of responses to the Observatory’s publication ‘Economic Justice and the Community Sector’ by seven leading community, equality and human rights commentators in Northern Ireland, Britain and Ireland. These are: Anna Coote, Head of Social Policy, New Economics Foundation; Niall Crowley, former CEO of the Equality Authority, Ireland and founding member of Claiming Our Future; Michael Hughes, CEO of the Rural Community Network; Conal McFeely, Development Executive of Creggan Enterprises; Cathleen O’Neill, Manager Kilbarrack Community Development Project; Mike Tomlinson, Professor of Social Policy, Queen’s University Belfast; and Margaret Ward, Director, Women’s Resource and Development Agency. The Foreword has been written by Avila Kilmurray, Director of CFNI
Download the publication here.
Community Policing: The Challenges from a Community Perspective
(January 2012)
This policy briefing has been prepared to inform discussions about the future of community policing in Northern Ireland.
It draws on the experiences of CFNI groups involved in the Prison to Peace, Communities in Transition, Creating Space for Learning and Sharing, and SEARCH programmes, the PSNI, and academics working on community policing. The focus of the policy briefing is on communities significantly impacted by not only the conflict but also poverty and marginalisation, who continue to experience intra-community and interface tensions.
Community policing is a complex and dynamic area; specific areas for discussion are: what is meant by ‘community policing’; the roles of and challenges for community representatives around policing, including who the PSNI engage with in communities, and who from local communities that are willing /unwilling to engage with the PSNI; positive experiences of effective community engagement and what can be learnt from these; and how community policing can be developed for example through practice, structures, research, and policy.
Download the policy briefing here.
Community Activism: developing relationships between the community and political sectors
(December 2011)
The development of genuine and equal ‘real’ partnerships between the community and political sectors is centrally important to communities’ participation and engagement.
This policy briefing draws on conversations with community activists in Northern Ireland to (i) raise issues about the changing characters of the community and political sectors, and the relationships been them, and (ii) propose strategies that could support the development of these relationships. It has been written in order to stimulate discussion at an Observatory seminar in January 2012. A discussion paper will be published following the seminar.
Download this policy briefing here.
Economic Justice and the Community Sector
(November 2011)
This position paper is the cornerstone of the Observatory’s work.
It proposes that Northern Ireland needs to build an economic recovery that is grounded on the principles of equality and rights: whose foundation is economic justice.
The paper outlines what economic justice means for the community sector in Northern Ireland, explores the relationship between economic and social justice, asserts the importance of developing a progressive political economy for Northern Ireland, discusses alternatives to the Government’s austerity economics, and advocates for transformative strategies targeted at individual / family, community, and structural levels.
Economic Justice and Young People
(November 2011)
Young people are profoundly impacted by the economy, both as economic actors and as members of families and communities.
However the economy is marginal in children and young people’s policy, just as children and young people are marginal in economic policy.
This paper considers how young people can be both empowered to contribute economically to their community; as well as realising their economic potential in order to live fulfilled lives. It applies the Observatory’s concept of economic justice to young people in Northern Ireland by exploring their economic issues with regard to the current recessionary environment and the legacy of the conflict.
Informed by key informants in the children and young people’s sector, and a review of policy and research literature, the paper makes recommendations for policy, research and service interventions.
A Financial Inclusion and Capability Strategy for Northern Ireland
(November 2011)
Financial inclusion and capability are key to both the development of a sustainable and just economic recovery, and the promotion of the economic participation and well-being of communities, families and individuals across Northern Ireland.
This policy basic proposes that they become central components of the Executive’s economic policy.
Download this policy basic here.
Discussion Paper: ‘Community Planning: How can communities get the most from the Power of Well-being’
(November 2011)
This discussion paper has been prepared following the Observatory seminar on the Power of Well-being, which is to be introduced as part of the reform of local government.
It outlines: what the Power of Well-being is; and how it has been used in Scotland, England and Wales. After exploring issues that may arise in Northern Ireland, it sets out recommendations to support the Power’s successful introduction.
The paper should be read with the policy briefing of the same title, which was circulated in advance of the seminar.
Download this discussion paper here
Community Planning: How can communities get the most from the Power of Well-being
(September 2011)
This policy briefing was prepared for the Observatory seminar on the Power of Well-being (6 October 2011); a discussion paper will be produced after the seminar informed by the proceedings.
The Power of Well-being has been developing in Britain for up to a decade. This publication draws on this experience in order to reflect on what the Power of Well-being could be in Northern Ireland; it considers the following. How is the Power shaping up in Northern Ireland?
What is the Power of Well-being? What does ‘Well-being’ mean? What is the purpose of the Power of well-being? What could the Power be used for? Who are the beneficiaries? What safeguards and limitations are needed? What should statutory guidance on the Power of well-being address? What influences the Power’s use and effectiveness?
The Improvement, Collaboration and Efficiency Programme. Examples of the Power of Well-being in action are given.
Download the policy briefing here.
Development Trusts
(September 2011)
This ‘policy basic’ provides an overview of what development trusts are, explores their contributions as community enterprises to combating poverty, and considers the transfer of public assets to communities as a way of establishing and growing development trusts.
It describes the innovative ‘meanwhile use’ of temporarily vacated commercial spaces as a complementary strategy to development trusts’ long term approach.
Following a commentary on how development trusts have been supported elsewhere in the UK by legislation, policy, government funding and their own membership organisations, it concludes by highlighting the work of the recently formed Development Trusts NI, and the Building Change Trust.
Download the publication here.
Printed copies of this document can be ordered here.
Participatory Budgeting: Community decision making on public budgets
(September 2011)
This ‘policy basic’ provides an overview of Participatory Budgeting informed by discussions about the introduction of Participatory Budgeting in Northern Ireland at Observatory seminars.
Participatory Budgeting has developed as a process for shared decision-making between citizens and state. As such it resonates with a number of policy drivers including the Coalition Government’s Big Society and Localism agendas, and the Northern Ireland Executive’s Concordat between the State and the community and voluntary sectors.
The proposed Review of Public Administration for local government and the Personal and Public Involvement initiative may be participative spaces within which Participatory Budgeting could be piloted in Northern Ireland.
Download the publication here.
Printed copies of this document can be ordered here.
From Social Assets to the Change Matrix: A New Model for Evaluating the Impact of Local Community Development
(September 2011)
Traditionally the targeting of community development has been informed almost exclusively by levels of social need.
This ‘policy basic’ outlines a complementary and innovative approach to baselining and evaluation that incorporates the Social Assets of a community that will best assist them to achieve positive change through local community development.
The Social Assets model has been developed through collaboration between the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and Community Evaluation Northern Ireland during the last decade.
Download the puiblication here.
Printed copies of this document can be ordered here.
The Community Sector in Northern Ireland: Responding to challenging times
(September 2011)
Since its establishment in 2009, the Observatory has been engaging and consulting with community organisations across Northern Ireland; this publication is a summation of what we have heard. This ‘policy basic’ briefly reports on current challenges for communities and community development with regard to: practice, relationships, resources and evidence.
Download the publication here.
Printed copies of this document can be ordered here.
UK Fiscal Restraint: Implications for NI Community Organisations
(September 2010)
This report by Julie Harrison and Mike Morrissey was commissioned by the Observatory in order to inform the ‘Recession: Making the Best of a Crisis’ conference held in September 2010. The report presents the findings of a series of focus groups discussions and an online survey with community organisations.
This research found that the community sector must consider the following five challenges: (i) developing sustainable organisations that are clear about their social priorities, how to achieve these, and demonstrate their achievements; (ii) publicising the benefits of community development; (iii) prioritising communities’ weakest members, even during times of such economic turmoil; (iv) drawing on the innovative practice of the last decade in order to continue to develop communities; and (v) restoring a critical edge to community action.
Recession: Making the Best of a Crisis’ Conference Report
(September 2010)
In September 2010 the Observatory held a conference to discuss the community sector’s experience of and response to the recession. This publication presents the key points of conference papers by Mike Morrissey and Julie Harrison, who reported on their research ‘UK Fiscal Restraint – Implications for Northern Ireland Community Organisations’, and Avila Kilmurray, who spoke on ‘A Future Role for CFNI’.
It reports conference discussions on the themes of: community development infrastructure; barriers and solutions to community development work; priority objectives; change ready support programme; and a new paradigm.
Download the conference report here.
Working Towards a Way Forward - Conference Summary
(March 2010)
This publication summarises the key points made by presenters and participants at the Observatory’s conference held in March 2010. The conference explored how community development practitioners and their stakeholders view change, particularly the challenges presented by public sector restructuring.
Themes addressed at the conference were: ‘Supporting Change and Modernisation’; ‘Planning and Participation’; and ‘Partnership, Collaboration and Merger’.
Download the conference summary here.
The Following publications were commissioned by the Observatory.
Julie Harrison and Mike Morrissey (September 2010) - UK Fiscal Restraint: Implications for NI Community Organisations.
LOCUS (February 2012) - Community Support Needs: A Departmental and Local Authority Perspective
The Observatory published three conference reports.
Working Towards a Way Forward (March 2010)
Recession: Making the Best of a Crisis; The View of the Community Sector. (September 2010)
Challenging Times: Priorities for the Community Sector (March 2012)
