17

Thriving after the conflict FUSE project supports community cohesion in North Belfast The HUBB Community Resource Centre, leads FUSE, a community cohesion programme focusing on communities thriving after the conflict. They encourage partnership working, fostering positive community relations and developing local community capacity in North Belfast. Commenting Paddy Harte, Chairman, International Fund for Ireland, said: “The main purpose of the Peace Impact Programme, managed in partnership with the Community Foundation and International Fund for Ireland, is to deliver real and positive transformation in communities that have not previously participated in peace building and reconciliation activities.” “The areas of North Belfast that the FUSE project targets have suffered for too long with high levels of paramilitary activity, and with relationships between the specific organisations particularly volatile. These organisations are recognising the need for community cohesion and that’s where this project came from”. Launch of Pears Community Space Fund A new fund in partnership with Pears Foundation, focuses on encouraging and developing greater understanding between people of different backgrounds. Dawn Shackels, Director of Peace Building and Communities at the Community Foundation said “We encourage communities to be proud of who they are and to work together to be innovative and take risks in trying new solutions to problems. The Pears Community Spaces Fund will do just that. It is more than simply a pot of financial support-it is a creative vehicle to encourage joint working and cohesion between groups, encouraging and supporting collaboration to bring different communities together.”

18 Publizr Home


You need flash player to view this online publication