IFI In Leadership Boost For Women

A new cross-border and cross-community programme which aims to develop leadership skills and empower women to bring about positive change within their local communities has been launched.

Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were on hand to set the process off for the 'Women in Networking, Bridging Communities Through Leadership Programme'.

They are pictured here with programme participants Lorraine Mills from Ardmonagh Family and Community Centre; Holly Lemon from Carew II Family and Training Centre in east Belfast, and Mary Darcy from Networking 15 in north Dublin who are set to become 'champions for reconciliation'. Christine Poland, Project Co-ordinator of W.I.N is also present, (foreground).

It will provide an opportunity for women from diverse backgrounds to come together to identify common issues, share experiences and develop practical action plans for their local neighbourhoods with the long-term goal of producing positive lasting change.

It will be delivered through a combination of residential training weekends and college tuition, with nearly 50 women expected to take part in the Programme over the next three years.

Training will address topics such as sectarianism, racism, substance abuse, health and education.

The Programme has been developed as a result of a unique partnership between Ardmonagh Family and Community Centre in west Belfast, Carew II Family and Training Centre in east Belfast and Networking 15 in north Dublin, and is being funded by the International Fund for Ireland through its Community Bridges Programme.

Six women from each of the three partnership areas have been selected to take part in the first year of the programme which begins on 6th March.