Strategic Approach Is Path To Successful Regeneration

23 March 2006
STRATEGIC APPROACH IS PATH TO SUCCESSFUL REGENERATION

A more planned, long term and integrated approach is the path to successful regeneration the Social Development Minister said today.
David Hanson was speaking during a visit to Ligoniel in North Belfast accompanied by Deputy Mayor of Belfast Councillor Pat Convery. The Minister met staff from the Ligoniel Improvement Association and members of the Ligoniel Regeneration Village Partnership at the Wolfhill Centre Community Development and Enterprise Centre.
He said: "The involvement of local communities in the regeneration process is essential. That is why in the past year alone the Department for Social Development has provided almost Ł130,000 of Neighbourhood Renewal funding to support the work of the Ligoniel Improvement Association. Today I am pleased to announce additional funding of almost Ł80,000 to the Ligoniel Village Empowerment Partnership. Both organisations play an important role in providing a range of employment related training, advice, youth development and community capacity building to address the needs of this area.
"I have had very detailed discussions about many issues facing this community. Not all of these can be resolved overnight but we are working to establish a local Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership to ensure that this area benefits more fully from all Government strategies.
"We need to take a longer term view if we are to really address the different symptoms and causes of deprivation. This means moving away from short-term project based approaches and working in a more sustained and strategic way."
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