Developed and delivered by the NICVA, the course helps participants build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take an active role in community life and leadership.
Learning in Action
The first cohort of learners come from 15 organisations spanning youth, arts, housing, women’s and community development groups.
Six weeks in, the group has covered modules including Understanding Community Development Practice, Governance and Organisational Development, Community Learning for Social Change and Understand and Engage with Communities. The sessions have combined theory, discussion, and peer learning to help participants connect the principles of community development with their own lived experience.
“A very good interactive, beginner-friendly introduction to community development.”
— Kirsty, HERe NI
“So useful to get the theory and structures behind the voluntary community.”
— Helen, NI Assembly
“Opens up your mind to different ways of doing things.”
— Claire, Mornington Community Project
The interactive style of delivery has helped learners build confidence and new networks, while reinforcing the value of collaboration and shared purpose across communities.
The final four sessions will explore Group Work and Collective Action and Collaborative and Cross-Sectoral Work.
Guest Speakers Bring Real-World Insight
Throughout the course, learners have heard from experienced community leaders who have shared lessons learned from their own practice, including Manus Maguire (Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum), Stevie Corr (Falls Community Council) and Louise Ferguson (Larder East).
These sessions have given learners a window into effective community engagement and the diverse challenges facing different parts of the city.
“Getting blueprints for how to do this work on the ground is invaluable.”
— Helen, NI Assembly
A Diverse Group of learners
The OCN group is made up of a diverse and dedicated group of learners from:
Beechmount Residents Collective, Bomoko NI, Carrigart Youth and Community Group, Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum, Divis Youth Project, Greenway Women’s Group, Hahu Organics, HERe NI, Homeplus NI, Inspire Wellbeing, Kenyans Connect NI, Mornington Community Project, NI Assembly, PS², and Youth Initiatives NI.
Together, they have been working collaboratively in small groups to identify a specific community profile. At the end of the course, they will showcase their learning by delivering a short presentation on the strengths and needs of that chosen community following a community development framework.
“Great craic, good cohort, amazing delivery.”
— Anton, Divis Youth Project
“Eye-opening and inspiring.”
— Biruk, Hahu Organics
“Very informative. Good to meet other community workers from around the city.”
— Glen, Homeplus NI
“True community development is not all about what we do for people, but what we build with them.” – Mimi, Bomoko NI
Get Involved in the Community Empowerment Programme:
If you’d like to:
- Get involved in your local area
- Gain skills and experience
- Work with others to make change happen
- Or just want to find out more….
Please contact Kara MacDonald, Programme Coordinator, at [email protected] or visit the NICVA website to find out more.
The Community Empowerment Programme is being delivered by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) and a network of community partners from across Belfast. It is one of the six key projects which are being delivered as part of the Belfast PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan. This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
