Jennifer McCann MLA chaired the seminar to highlight the range of funding programmes available to the community and to the voluntary sector in West Belfast.
Programme designers and practitioners from a number of funding areas made presentations ranging from sports development to the European Union (EU) PEACE Programme. A number of opportunities available from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and the Belfast City Council were also discussed including Good Relations Funding and a variety of community and arts programmes.
Jennifer McCann said:
"This is just a sample of the funding that is available to assist organisations in the important work they do in the West Belfast community. It is about identifying what funding is available, but it is also signposting organisations where to go for assistance in accessing funds and maximising the opportunities that exist."
She reported that services delivered by community organisations were much needed by families and by the community right across West Belfast. Meanwhile, community representatives stressed the importance of timely communication on funding to enable key priorities to be addressed.
