Funding of £954,000 will be awarded to 23 different organisations here and a special event to celebrate the work of the various groups is being hosted this evening in Parliament Buildings by OFMDFM. Details of organisations which were successful in obtaining development and project funding are attached.
Speaking today, the First Minister said:” I am delighted to announce this major new package of almost £1million. Since taking office, both the deputy First Minister and I have consistently stated that we are committed to promoting racial equality and good race relations.
“This funding is solid evidence of that commitment. It sends a positive message to all members of minority ethnic communities that they are a valuable part of society here and that government is prepared to recognise that in a concrete way.”
Also speaking today the deputy First Minister said: ” This investment represents a 33% increase on previous funding to minority ethnic groups here. It is a very tangible measure of the Executive’s support for local minority ethnic communities and I am looking forward to meeting many of the groups involved later today in Parliament Buildings.
“The focus of this funding will be on the improvement of race relations and helping minority ethnic people to integrate into the wider community. We all have a responsibility to promote tolerance and to accept each other’s cultural diversity.
“While we have funded several minority ethnic groups, I am pleased to say that we received a number of strong applications from indigenous organisations which have also been successful in securing funding.”
Notes to Editors:
- In attendance at the event in Parliament Buildings are representatives of various groups that are receiving funding as well as the highly acclaimed Keltic Dreams dance troupe from New York who will perform at the event.
- The Keltic Dreams group is made up of children from mainly African American/ Hispanic backgrounds from the Bronx. Their performance will be an infusion of traditional Irish and African Dance, hip-hop and salsa. This will be the group’s first visit to Belfast.
- For further information please contact Paddy Cullen OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9052 1840 or mobile 07850 187134. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Development Funding
An Munia Tober
This organisation was formed by the amalgamation of two well-established groups: Belfast Travellers Support Group and Belfast Travellers Education Development Group. Funding will support a Director and Administrator and associated costs for running the centre. An Munia Tober have also been awarded funding for the regional advocacy role they carry out on behalf of Travellers. (£45,000)
Ballymena Inter-Ethnic Forum
Ballymena Inter-ethnic Forum (BIEF) was launched in 2004 supported by Ballymena Community Forum (BCF). In June 2006 the board of BCF agreed the transition of the Ethnic Minorities Project to BIEF and the project became independent of the Forum. BIEF now support minority ethnic communities in the greater Ballymena area to assist them to integrate into wider society. The funding will help support posts: an Ethnic Minorities Co-ordinator and an Administrative Officer. (£45,000)
Belfast Islamic Centre
Belfast Islamic Centre (BIC) is an independent charitable organisation set up in 1997, serving the Muslim community in Northern Ireland and assisting them to fulfil a range of needs including educational and social needs. One of their specific aims is to bring a better understanding about the Islamic culture and traditions to the wider society. The award will assist BIC in employing a Director and an Administrator and allow BIC to carry out a range of activities to help local Muslims integrate in to wider society. (£45,000)
Bryson House/Multi-Cultural Resource Centre
Bryson House/Multi Cultural Resource Centre is a regional organisation working as a conduit advocating and promoting human rights and equity through empowerment, collaboration and support of Black and Minority Ethnic Communities and individuals. Funding will support core running costs and permit employment of a Director to maintain the managerial structures and roles essential for the effective provision of services to minority ethnic communities and individuals. (£45,000).
Chinese Welfare Association
CWA is a well-established organisation, based in Belfast, which works to secure the future of the Chinese community within a framework of racial equality and to enable the Chinese community to participate in both the development of the community and the wider society. Funding will help to support two full time posts: a Chief Executive and a Finance/Administration Officer. The funding will allow CWA to continue to work towards integration and provide support to the local Chinese community. (£45,000)
Craigavon Intercultural Programme
Craigavon Intercultural Programme (CIP) was established in Portadown in 2006 to promote integration between the host and migrant communities by providing a variety of services and activities. CIP works with a number of agencies in the area for the benefit of all. To date the organisation has been staffed by voluntary workers and the proposed award of funding will allow the organisation to move towards its next stage of development by recruiting 4 part time workers. (£45,000)
Craigavon Travellers Support Committee
Craigavon Travellers Support Committee is a well-established body, providing a range of services to the Traveller Community in the Craigavon area. Their work is undertaken in 5 key areas; early years, education, community development, advice and health. This funding will allow them to employ a project manager and a project administrator to further this work and capacity build within the organisation. (£45,000)
East Belfast Independent Advice Centre
East Belfast Independent Advice Centre (EBIAC) was established in 2000. It provides independent, confidential and free advice to the community in the area. It is increasingly providing advice to members of the minority ethnic community and migrant workers who live there. The proposed funding will allow the EBIAC to recruit a dedicated worker to provide a comprehensive advice/advocacy service and information service to minority ethnic people. (£38,000).
Kilcranny House
Kilcranny House has been established for over 20 years in the Coleraine area. It was set up by the Peace People as a peace and reconciliation centre and their Community Relations Innovative Support programme has allowed the organisation to redefine its role as a key contributor to the promotion of good relations in the region. This funding will allow Kilcranny House to employ an Ethnic Minorities Support Worker who will carry out a range of activities including sign posting and delivering cultural awareness training. (£45,000)
NICRAS
NICRAS was set up in 2002 to represent the views of asylum seekers and refugees in Northern Ireland and to advocate on their behalf. NICRAS is a diverse organisation comprising members from a range of different countries and faith, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The funding will help NICRAS to employ an Advice and Support Worker and an Administrator to allow the organisation to develop further and capacity build. (£45,000)
Northern Ireland Council For Ethnic Minorities
NICEM is a well-established body, based in Belfast, with a high profile amongst the minority ethnic community in the province. The award will help fund the post of Director and an Administration Manager and some support costs. Funding will allow NICEM to continue to carry out their support role to individuals and organisations to encourage them to participate fully in accessing their rights. It will also assist NICEM in their task of mainstreaming minority ethnic needs into government policy and practice. (£45,000)
Old Warren Partnership
Old Warren Partnership is an umbrella group of organisations working in the disadvantaged areas of Lisburn. The network provides support to member groups as well as developing its own projects. The funding will help support the employment of a Project Manager and a Project Administrator to continue to run the Welcome Project which has been operating on a pilot basis for the past 2 years. This project works to ensure that migrant workers and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are fully integrated into the wider community. (£31,000)
Polish Association Northern Ireland
The Polish Association of Northern Ireland is a volunteer organisation based in Belfast and has been operational for 1 year. It was formed by migrant workers to promote and celebrate Polish culture and to assist Polish migrants to integrate into the local community. The funding will allow the organisation to employ a Co-ordinator who will assist the further development of the body and ensure that Polish migrants needs are met. (£45,000)
SEEDS
SEEDS is an independent group working in the North West which works to promote human rights, integration and equality for minority ethnic people in the area. SEEDS is heavily involved with the migrant workers and seeks to provide a range of services to help them settle into the region and integrate into wider society. The Funding will support a full time Co-ordinator post. (£45,000)
South Belfast Partnership Board
South Belfast Partnership Board comprises 25 members drawn from a range of sectors and its mission is to strengthen and better target the efforts being made by the community, private sector and Government to tackle to economic, social and environmental problems in the area. This funding will allow them to employ a Race Relation Coordinator to liaise with the increasing minority ethnic community in the area and to co-ordinate a multi-agency response to the problems which have been outlined. (£45,000)
South Tyrone Empowerment Programme
STEP is a community organisation managed by the local community in the South Tyrone area. Its core aim is to empower those groups and individuals most vulnerable to social exclusion and economic disadvantage. The funding will finance the employment of a Co-ordinator for the Migrant Support Programme, a language resource development worker and clerical support to co-ordinate existing project and service delivery and manage new project delivery. (£45,000)
Wah – Hep Chinese Community Association
Wah – Hep is an established organisation in Craigavon providing a range of services to the local Chinese community and promoting, through community development, individual projects. Funding will support a Director and Finance Administrative Officer and associated support costs. The funding will allow further capacity building within the organisation and assist towards the integration of the community into wider society. (£45,000)
Youthaction Northern Ireland
YouthAction Northern Ireland are primarily a practice based organisation based in Newry which works in partnership with local communities and young people. Their work is increasingly focussed on members of the minority ethnic communities who have come to live in the area. The funding will allow the body to employ a Social Inclusion/Youth Worker in the region to develop youth work with young people from targeted marginalised groups and minority ethnic backgrounds. (£45,000).
Project Funding (each organisation awarded £15,000)
An Munia Tober
This organisation was formed by the amalgamation of two well-established groups: Belfast Travellers Support Group and Belfast Travellers Education Development Group. Project funding will provide support in the development of the regional Traveller Advocacy Programme. This programme will increase awareness of the positive contribution made by Travellers and the effects of inequality on their community, whilst also working to develop good relations between Travellers and the majority community.
Artsekta
ArtsEkta exists to promote and support multicultural arts and artists in the community. The organisation is committed to promoting equality and understanding of different cultures through the arts. Project funding will go towards the running of the 2008 Mela Festival in Belfast. This event will bring together people of all communities to experience different cultures and interact with people from different ethnic backgrounds.
Belfast Islamic Centre
Belfast Islamic Centre (BIC) is an independent charitable organisation set up in 1997, serving the Muslim community in Northern Ireland and assisting them to fulfil a range of needs including educational and social needs. One of the centre’s specific aims is to bring a better understanding about the Islamic culture and traditions to the wider society. Project funding will aid the Belfast Islamic Centre in running a range of educational, social, recreational and developmental programmes for young people. The centre plans to run social networking and dialogue events, a young Muslim leadership development programme, a training programme for education/youth workers, and also develop a website for young Muslims. These programmes will develop the confidence and capability of young Muslims to engage in social, cultural and decision making activities.
Bryson House/Multi Cultural Resource Centre
Bryson House/Multi Cultural Resource Centre is a regional organisation working as a conduit advocating and promoting human rights and equity through empowerment, collaboration and support of Black and Minority Ethnic Communities and individuals. Funding will aid MCRC in providing a Training for Trainers course accredited by the Open College Network to its volunteers. This will provide enhanced skills and employability. Participants will then use their skills in community development, capacity building and conflict management.
Féile An Phobail
Féile an Phobail was established in August 1988 to direct people away from conflict towards positive activities. They are best known for organising the annual summer 10-day August Féile in West Belfast. Project funding will go towards creating good relations between majority and minority ethnic communities through active and engaging programmes within the Féile an Phobail calendar of events. Activities will include: a Carnival Parade which will showcase different cultures in an inclusive atmosphere, workshops to develop relationships between the local community and minority ethnic communities, and a multi-cultural food fayre.
Mornington Community Project
Mornington was established in 1989 to address the high levels of unemployment in Lower Ormeau by providing training for employment and job creation opportunities. Project funding will promote good relations between the local community and minority ethnic groups. Activities being undertaken will include: delivery of 2 good relations programmes, provision of ESOL classes, delivery of an accredited IT programme, and provision of ‘life skills’ workshops.
St Patrick’s Conference, St Vincent De Paul Society
The society of St Vincent de Paul is an unincorporated association which has charitable objectives. St Patrick’s Conference Armagh is the local branch which was founded in 1853 and delivers much needed services and advice to local people. Project funding will aid in the delivery of a 12 month support programme to promote good relations between people of different ethnic backgrounds and facilitate their further integration into the local community. Activities will include a ‘Help clinic’, language support, computer classes and excursion days.
Voluntary Service Bureau
VSB is a local development agency which has 40 years experience of providing the infrastructure to support, encourage and promote citizenship and participation through voluntary activity. The funding will be used to coordinate a project to promote good relations and tackle racism using a community development approach to integrate minority ethnic people within indigenous communities here. The project will be delivered through VSB’s Young Citizens in Action Programme (YCIA) and will be aimed at attracting young people aged 16-30 from a range of minority ethnic groups.
