Policy and structural transformations are needed to support marginalised communities and help resolve tensions, according to a report launched today [5th October 2012] at the Farset Complex, Belfast.

The Communities in Transition 2 (CIT2) Evaluation Report was undertaken by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and sets out a number of recommendations for community development in response to changing political and economic landscapes.

The CIT2 programme, funded by the International Fund for Ireland, was recognised as a positive model for peace building and building sustainable community infrastructure in areas that suffer from internal and external tensions.

The programme carefully researched and identified 10 urban and rural communities from across Northern Ireland in 2006 and applied a mix of innovative approaches to enhance development. Many of these approaches have since been adopted into other community programmes.

International Fund for Ireland board member Billy Gamble said: “Three years ago we presented successes in the first phase of the CIT Programme. We reported how the programme had worked and how this needed to be extended to other areas of weak community infrastructure.

“Today we are celebrating the achievement of the programme’s second phase. The evaluation shows that over the last five years, CIT2 has generated positive outcomes and given policy makers an effective template to progress community transformation.

“At local level, the economic landscape has changed considerably. By adapting from the lessons the CIT2 peace building experience has provided, local authorities and government can begin to assist communities to tackle the challenges they face in a meaningful and sustainable way.”

At the launch, speakers discussed the report’s findings on community development and peace building programmes, broader implications arising from programmes such as CIT2 and lessons arising from them. Four of the 10 communities who benefitted from the CIT2 Programme also took to the stage to share their stories and experiences of how the CIT2 Programme had benefitted them.

Monina O’Prey Programme Manager at the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland said: “The two Communities in Transition Programmes provide proven working approaches to support communities that fall through the net or generally escape the notice of policy makers, funders and support organisations.

“Combining community development and peace building in such communities and offering substantial support and resources to those committed to change brings long term benefits for all. All the communities involved n the CIT2 Programme have made an extraordinary journey and secured positive outcomes. We hope they can continue to build upon this for future generations to come.”

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