Limavady Good Relations Grants

Overview

The following criteria and principles have been adopted. These will be reviewed on an annual basis to reflect the main objectives of the Community Relations Unit and the specific areas of work identified under the Council's Good Relations Plan.

PRINCIPLES OF GOOD RELATIONS WORK

• Equity: a commitment at all levels of society to ensure equality of access to resources, structures and decision-making processes and the adoption of actions to secure and maintain these objectives.
• Respect for Diversity: supports the value derived from the existence, understanding and acceptance of difference when expressed through religious, ethnic or political background.
• Interdependence: requires recognition by different interest or identity groups of their obligations and commitments to others and of the interconnection of individual/ community experiences and ambitions.

CRITERIA FOR GRANT AID PROGRAMME

Single Identity Work: Single Identity Work is a term used to describe activities, which do not cross traditional community boundaries. These activities increase confidence within a community so that people are better able to define their identity and needs in relation to others. Good Relations work of this type should challenge long-held, unquestioned stereotypes which are no longer appropriate within the wider Northern Ireland community and should open up channels of communication within communities and between communities.

Cultural Diversity Work: Cultural Diversity Work encourages positive awareness of difference and diversity both between communities and within communities. It explores different identities and cultures and promotes inclusive discussion and debate. Cultural Diversity Work challenges those negative stereotypes which sustain division and conflict in our society. Because the work is concerned with culture, it often deals in areas such as history, dance, language, drama, music, broadcasting, and publishing and community arts.

Cross Community Work: Cross-community work involves bringing together groups/individuals from varying communities to engage with each other at a level which openly challenges perceptions, develops understanding, encourages meaningful dialogue and sustainable relationships based on the principles Equity, Respect for Diversity and Interdependence.

Project ideas may include:

• conducting a Good Relations audit in your local area
• single identity work which MUST lead to increased interactivity between communities of differing political or religious backgrounds
• cultural diversity work should promote an education and understanding of a particular culture and reflect the cultures of those residing in the Limavady Borough area.
• networking events, but not parties or festivals.
• activities which have a clear Good Relations theme
• providing Good Relations/Community Relations awareness or training for your group or area
• undertaking work which the community has identified to improve local areas - for example removal of sectarian images, graffiti etc

ELIGIBILITY

A wide range of organisations able to develop and deliver Good Relation projects within their communities will be considered. Community Associations and other groups must

• be located within the Limavady Borough Council area
• have a constitution, management committee, annual audited accounts
• be non-political and non-sectarian
• have a satisfactory Child Protection Policy in place where appropriate

LEVELS AND TYPES OF GRANT AID

It must be noted that all decisions are taken at the discretion of Council. They are dependant on sufficient funds being available.

Up to a maximum £1000 of funding is available for each project.