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Creating space, learning and sharing  

A cross-community peace building project launched in 2008 has proven so successful that it has been awarded funding for a further three years.

 As well as the funding extension, the Creating Space for Learning and Sharing Project  is now being replicated in other communities in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.

The news was announced at a conference held in Londonderry/Derry today (Thursday 17th June) where over 100 delegates who took part in the Project converged with new participants to share experiences and celebrate achievements.

The initiative has been funded by the International Fund for Ireland under its Community Bridges Programme and the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (CFNI). It has been developed and delivered by CFNI and is managed by the Community Relations Council on behalf of the International Fund for Ireland. 

The Project provides marginalised communities, where sectarianism and social deprivation are prevalent, with practical and technical support to enable them to undertake peace building and cross-community activities.

Initially piloted in 12 geographical areas in the greater North West region, 18 new community groups will be taking part in phase two of the Project over the next three years.

Dr. Adrian Johnston, Board member of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “The International Fund for Ireland remains focused on creating new and innovative ways to promote peace building and reconciliation and help Unionists and Nationalists throughout the island of Ireland to learn, work and live together in a shared future.

“I am particularly encouraged that a number of communities which have never before taken part in cross-community work have come forward to secure their place on the second phase of the Project. 

“The International Fund for Ireland is very keen to support projects which have the potential to deliver sustainable, long-term positive impacts long after the Fund ceases to exist.

“Creating Space for Learning and Sharing is one such Project that has the potential to make a lasting difference to the lives of people living in communities where sectarianism and segregation are still a reality of everyday life.”

Dr Avila Kilmurray, Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, said: “Best practice examples like the Creating Space for Learning and Sharing Project offer excellent avenues for engagement with communities across Northern Ireland that may feel themselves to be marginalised or excluded at times.

“The success of the Project is a tribute to the communities involved in its first phase and we hope the new communities involved in phase two will find their investment of time and interest just as rewarding.

“This event will help ready them for the task ahead, with plenty of advice and guidance on offer, but also by bringing together local community activists and groups to learn from each other.
 “The Community Foundation is very proud of the success of the project and welcomes its extension.”

As part of the Project communities are offered assistance and mentoring support to enable them to work through locally identified issues to produce and deliver local peace building action plans.

For further information on the Creating Space for Learning and Sharing Project contact Sean Feenan at the Community Foundation’s North West office on 028 71 371 547.