Funding Allocated To Ensure Delivery Of Fresh Start Initiative

Funding of nearly £1million has been allocated by the Department of Communities to ensure the delivery of the Fresh Start initiative.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey welcomed the funding.

The allocation of the one-year financial settlement was agreed by the cross-Executive Tackling Paramilitarism Criminality and Organised Crime Programme Board.

Minister Hargey said: "I welcome the confirmation of a funding settlement which allows the important work of the cross-Executive Tackling Paramilitarism Criminality and Organised Crime Programme to continue. This funding will include almost £1million for Department for Communities based projects.

"My Department will deliver a range of projects at a grass roots level to enable young people, their families, carers, and women to develop skills, knowledge and confidence for personal and community development."

The funding will enable the continuation of the Fresh Start through Community pilots promoting lawfulness, active citizenship and helping build capacity and relations within communities and will also present the opportunity for support to be provided in other areas of need.

The settlement will also allow the Department to deliver for women through the Developing Women in the Community programme which will target women of all ages in communities where paramilitary influence is prevalent. This work will aim to equip and empower women to become involved in transformational community development, providing an element of family support and helping to support communities to move away from paramilitary and criminal influence.