29 August 2002
DODDS VISITS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
The work of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, in helping to build communities in areas of social disadvantage, was praised today by Nigel Dodds MP MLA, the Minister for Social Development.
The Minister was speaking during a visit to the new headquarters of the organisation – formerly known as the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust - at Citylink Business Park, Albert Street, Belfast on the site of the former Boxmore Factory. He said:
"The Community Foundation has done much valuable and pioneering work since its establishment as the former Voluntary Trust back in 1979. They have become involved with groups on all sides of the community to help promote a more stable society and I think they deserve wider recognition for this difficult and sometimes dangerous work.
"It was very much a tribute to their integrity and reputation that the Community Foundation was chosen as an Intermediary Funding Body under the European Union’s Peace I & 2 programmes. This has involved working with victims of the violence, promoting active citizenship, encouraging social inclusion and building community infrastructure.
"All of this has made a significant contribution to the work of peace and reconciliation through the support of a wide range of socially excluded groups."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland was formerly known as the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust and changed its name in August 2002.
- In recognition of its work and impact at community level, the Foundation was asked to become an Intermediary Funding Body under the European Union Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace I – 1995/1999). The organisation has continued this role under Peace II.
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