28 November 2002

£3 MILLION INITIATIVE TO BREAK NEW GROUND IN MEETING COMMUNITY NEED IS LAUNCHED

A £3 million initiative to enable public bodies to work more effectively with disadvantaged groups and with communities living in disadvantaged areas was announced today by the Department for Social Development.

The Outreach Programme is designed to assist those communities that have not been able to readily access and influence the public services that impact on them. It aims to help public sector organisations across Northern Ireland put into practice the principle of working in partnership with communities and with the voluntary and community sector.

Financial assistance through Executive Programme Funds is available for innovative, demonstration projects that actively involve local communities and test new approaches to meeting community need. Public sector organisations, including schools, colleges, district councils and health trusts, together with Local Strategy Partnerships are invited to apply for funding to lead such projects.

The £3 million available through the Outreach Programme will be available to support up to 15 innovative projects for up to three years with grants ranging from £50,000 to £250,000 over that period.

Public bodies are invited to put forward projects that actively involve local communities. Examples might include:

1. ‘One-stop shops’ to address the full spectrum of community information needs;
2. Co-ordinating local public sector and community action to address complex policy issues;
3. Training employees in community development approaches to work;
4. More effective use of premises and equipment to meet community need;
5. Secondments and joint training initiatives;
6. Inter-agency collaboration to improve community access to services

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Programme is open to all public sector organisations. Voluntary and community groups are not eligible to apply directly, but it is a requirement that communities are involved substantially in the design, development and delivery of projects.
2. Funding for individual projects will range from around £50,000 to £250,000. The closing date for applications is Friday 10 January 2003.
3. Given the demonstration nature of the Programme, DSD intends to ensure a mix of projects across a wide range of services including health, education and skills, community safety and economic development.
4. The Programme is one of a series of DSD actions aimed at tackling disadvantage and building stronger communities. In keeping with this remit, the Programme will focus on areas of high social need and weak community infrastructure, and on disadvantaged groups.
5. Further information is available from:

Gerald Collins
Department for Social Development
Voluntary & Community Development
5th Floor
Churchill House
Victoria Square
Belfast
BT1 4SD

Tel No: 028 9056 9351
E-mail: Gerald.collins2@dsdni.gov.uk

Information and application packs can be accessed at the DSD website www.dsdni.gov.uk/publications.

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