Second phase of Women’s Community Programme open for applications

The Department for Communities Developing Women in the Community Programme Phase Two is now open for applications.

The Department for Communities Developing Women in the Community Programme Phase Two is now open for applications.

This is the second phase of the programme following on from the pilot scheme that completed in March 2022. The Minister appointed an Advisory Panel to review the pilot programme and make recommendations which have helped to shape and set the direction for phase two.

The project is part of the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism & Organised Crime.

Welcoming the opening of the application process for phase two of the Programme Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: 

“I am pleased to be able to launch the second phase of this important programme. It is vital we continue to develop women as leaders in their communities, to give them a voice and to empower them to take on key roles that will drive change and make communities more resilient.

“I am committed to delivering for women here particularly those in areas which have been identified as most in need. This programme will provide training and support to women of all ages equipping them with the skills knowledge and confidence to become involved in transformational community development.”

Key elements of the Developing Women in the Community Programme Phase Two include:

• Providing participants with the opportunity to partake in volunteering roles and to develop and deliver a small programme;
• Providing Family Support; and
• Delivering modular training relating to personal, community and families capacity resulting in personal progression, reducing individual risk factors and strengthening the women’s confidence to engage with their communities.

Applications are invited from areas which have been identified as those most in need.

Full details on funding, eligibility and the application process can be found at: communities-ni

Notes to editors: 

1. The Fresh Start Agreement of November 2015 sets out the Executive’s commitment to tackling paramilitary activity and associated criminality and includes a commitment for the ‘development of a programme to increase the participation and influence of women in community development
2. The Department for Communities has been allocated £375,000 funding to deliver the second phase of the programme in the 2022/23 year.
3. Applications will be invited from identified areas only i.e. those with the highest number of recorded paramilitary related incidents
4. Further information about the EPPOC is available at www.northernireland.gov.uk
5. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office 
6. Executive Information Service operates an out of hour’s service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The Duty Press Officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
7. Follow the Department on @CommunitiesNI

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