Community work most at risk from funding pressures

Small-scale community development initiatives which play a vital role in building relationships within and between local communities in Northern Ireland are likely to be particularly exposed because of the ending or restructuring of EU funding and limited access to mainstream Government funding.

This is one of the key messages in the recent Position Paper published by the Task Force established by Government to examine future resourcing of the voluntary and community sector.

At present there are currently some 4,500 voluntary and community sector organisations in Northern Ireland. The sector as a whole has an established track record of tackling deprivation and social need and throughout years of violence and civil conflict it has worked for the advancement of socially and economically disadvantaged groups and communities.

But it is the smaller organisations which work at ground level developing confidence, motivation and trust within and between local communities which may face the greatest challenges for survival, the paper said. Recognising this dilemma, the Task Force stated: “There has never been a comprehensive programme by Government for the support of community development activity. In the current climate of change, local organisations working within local communities are particularly vulnerable.

“Within Northern Ireland we believe that building relationships between communities across the sectarian divide has a high priority. We believe that consideration should be given to the development of a programme to support local community development activity. This would assist those organisations and activities most at risk from impending changes to funding programmes. It could have the explicit aim of building relationships within and between communities and between communities and Government structures.”

The Task Force said it believed that a community development programme could have the potential to “sustain the important work of local community organisations and provide a degree of continuity of funding and whilst it would not make up for reductions in current levels of funding, it could provide support that is consistent and continuing".

"The outcome would be reduced but more secure funding available for community development," it added.

(MB)