Ritchie celebrates European Funding Regeneration in North Belfast

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today celebrated the success of the Urban II European Funding Programme in North Belfast.

The programme assisted over 200 projects with £12.4million of funding. It aimed to help regenerate North Belfast and had a number of notable successes including:–

• helping 25 projects upgrade and refurbish buildings and equipment;

• assisting the Dockers Amateur Boxing Club construct a new club building; and

• facilitating the development of the Social Economy sector in Inner North Belfast.

At an event to mark the successful completion of the programme Minister Ritchie said: “The Urban II programme helped regenerate North Belfast into a more vibrant, safe and viable urban community for its people, environment and economy.

“Regeneration is a key priority for me, but it is not just about ‘bricks and mortar’. It is about making real and meaningful difference to the lives of people in disadvantaged communities. It is about Government and local communities working together. Urban II is a testament to this.”

Minister Ritchie continued: “Success is a journey, not a destination. The successful completion of the Programme marks an important step on our journey to create a better, more prosperous future for everyone in North Belfast.”

Urban II funding was delivered on behalf of the Department for Social Development (DSD) by the North Belfast Partnership.

Neighbourhood Renewal, the Executive’s strategy, delivered by DSD to tackle deprivation in Northern Ireland’s most disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods, will build on the achievements of the Urban II Programme. It will effect change through the implementation of Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plans. Plans were compiled through a consultation process involving the local community, local stakeholders and statutory organisations.

Notes to Editors:

1. Urban II is a European funded programme which aimed to regenerate Inner North Belfast into a vibrant, safe and viable urban community for it’s people, it’s environment and it’s economy.
2. The programme attracted £12.4million of funding with the Department for Social Development, as the Managing Authority, providing £4.3million of this sum.
3. The period of operation was 2000-2008 and over 200 projects were funded.
4. For further information, contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.