Attwood pledges support to communities in West Armagh

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood, has announced funding of nearly £50,000 for a programme of community initiatives within Armagh.

The funding will support seven local community based organisations in the Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Area. It will finance a programme of capacity building and community-based projects that will focus on building on existing skills and providing opportunities for people to participate more fully in society. Community organisations will also benefit from training that will help them to better identify and meet the needs of their communities.

Paying tribute to the role which the community representatives have played in terms of the regeneration of Armagh, the Minister said: “This is a good day for community groups in west Armagh. The Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership has made a major contribution towards the regeneration of its area through its work in drawing up an action plan and developing the projects to deliver its vision for the area. The community representatives have played a pivotal role in this regard and I commend them for the part which they have played. I am confident that through continued co-operation we can continue to tackle disadvantage within the community and deliver real improvements to the quality of life and opportunities for the people living in those communities.”

The funding has been awarded to Armagh City and District Council from the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund.

Notes to editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' which was published in June 2003, sets out government’s proposals for closing the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:
   - Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
   - Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
   - Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
   - Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
2. News Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 90829078/07970 976894. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.