The International Fund for Ireland, in conjunction with NICVA, celebrated the end of the third year of the £2.1 million Community Leadership Programme (CLP) on Friday (24 February).  The event, which included a final roundtable meeting and presentation of certificates, took place in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Co Cavan.

42 groups successfully participated in year three of the CLP, completing ten action learning sessions on subjects ranging from leadership and management, to marketing, communication and governance. In addition, each group received £2,500 (€2,750) for an action learning project. These ranged from cross community engagement events, to marketing initiatives, helping groups better communicate their activities to their local communities.

The year three event was an excellent opportunity for all groups from Northern Ireland and the southern border counties to network, feedback on their learning and share their experiences. It was also an opportunity for the funders to hear first-hand the impact the programme has had on their communities.

Rose-Mary Farrell, Board Member of the International Fund for Ireland commented:

“Today marks the end of the third year of the Community Leadership Programme, and the end of your leadership journey on the Programme.  We realise that you have given huge commitment to the Community Leadership Programme through your participation in the action learning sessions, round table workshops, the completion of the accreditation process through the Institute of Leadership and Management and, for a number of you, the participation in the University of Ulster Certificate in Management Practice”.

She continued:

“I must congratulate you on these significant achievements not only for your group but also for you as individuals.  As mentioned earlier, the aim of the Community Leadership Programme is to strengthen your leadership capacity; and to enable you to contribute to the social, economic and community relations regeneration activities in your areas.  Today’s celebration marks the significant progress you have made toward achieving that aim.”


Una McKernan from NICVA commented: “NICVA is delighted that all the participants on the third year of this Community Leadership Programme have completed their learning, and achieved so much. Over the last three years, 97 groups have gone through CLP and already are exhibiting evidence of improved leadership skills, which can only benefit how their organisations are run within the local communities in which they operate”.

Groups that have completed the Community Leadership Programme in year three include:

Name	County/Area
Northern Ireland Groups
Ballybogey Community Association Ballycarry Community Association Corpus Christi Youth Centre Glenfield - Castlemara PAKT Grange Residents Association Greystone Residents Association Ligoniel Improvement Association Monkstown Community Association Muckamore Parish Development Association New Lodge Arts Newhill Community Project Oasis - Caring in Action Rathcoole Friends of the Somme Root Soup Star Neighbourhood Centre Wishing Well Family Centre	Antrim
Avenue Road Residents Committee (ARC) Drumbeg North and South Residents Association The Vineyard Centre	Armagh
Bloomfield Community Association Three Ways Community Association Women of Clonduff	Down
Donagh Development Association Garrison Community Sports and Social Club	Fermanagh
Compassion at Causeway Coast Vineyard	Londonderry
Altamuskin Community Association 2Omawest Community Development Group Rouskey Community & Development Association The Peace Factory	Tyrone
Southern Border County Groups
Bailieborough Development Association Teach Oscail FRC Project Ltd	Cavan
Donegal Family Resource Centre Lifford Circle Group Moville & District Family Resource Centre Rosses CDP	Donegal
Mohill Family Support Centre Rossinver Youth and Community Project Ltd	Leitrim
Knockatallon Development Committee Truagh Development Association	Monaghan
Ballintrillick Environmental Group Ltd Easkey Community Council Ltd Sligo Northside Community Partnership Limited	Sligo

For more details see the CLP website cataloguing the activity and resources built up over the Programme - www.communityleadershipprogramme.org