A new support programme designed to help community organisations that wish to co-operate and work for the benefit of their community, was officially launched today at Armagh City Hotel, Armagh by Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland.‘Integrating Community Organisations’, the new support programme managed by the Rural Development Council (RDC) on behalf of the Fund, aims to help community organisations from throughout Northern Ireland and the border counties, that wish to co-operate on a cross border and/or cross community basis to work for the benefit of their community. The programme offers training, support and mentoring and for the opportunity for small joint projects. In addition, pairs of community organisations may subsequently access funding for large scale projects via the Funds other programmes.The programme is open to groups working in urban and rural areas across Northern Ireland and the Southern Border Counties. Denis Rooney, Chair of the International Fund for Ireland, said:  “Much has been achieved to date by the Fund in bringing communities together, however, there still remains division in our society. “We are pleased to be able to offer this new programme in association with the RDC to provide support where it is most needed. We would like to thank the RDC for their dedication to the ‘Integrating Community Organisations’ Programme and we look forward to engaging the various community organisations and facilitating them with their new cross border/ cross community projects.”Caroline Breakey, Chair of the RDC added, “We look forward to working closely with the Fund over the coming years as both organisations endeavour to encourage increased integration within and between communities.  As an agent of the Fund, RDC will work to develop and support community projects that meet the Fund objectives.The Fund enables communities to grasp new opportunities to step beyond the normal boundaries to which they have become accustomed, to develop projects that increase community knowledge and understanding of other traditions and cultures. This new ‘Integrating Community Organisations’ Programme is designed to offer communities, both urban and rural, that opportunity and we look forward to engaging in a meaningful support role with successful applicants.”

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