Seven projects inspire Civic Innovation engagement at the Braid Theatre

18 Oct 2022

The Community Foundation, NI held an exciting evening at the Braid Theater, celebrating the success of seven projects, that have been part of the Foundations Civic Innovation Programme. Over 75 individuals joined at the theatre to hear more about Civic Innovation happening right on their doorstep.

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland’s Civic Innovation programme has awarded over £900,000 of funding. Supporting community-led projects that put people at the centre of decision-making, using a variety of creative approaches, giving communities the tools and knowledge to do so. Tools such as citizens panels, digital engagement and participatory budgeting.

Each project comprises a collaboration of voluntary and community groups, individual contributors and in some cases statutory bodies. The issues covered by projects include educational segregation, climate change, Irish language rights, community planning and peacebuilding.

Some projects include:

The ‘Commoning Possibilities’ project is led by Garvagh Development Trust in collaboration with the Rural Community Network, independent artist Anne McMaster and St Columb’s Park House. The group was awarded almost £87,795 to engage diverse groups of residents in two localities (Garvagh and Derry) in dialogue and local action around living well together, with the land and with nature.

Meanwhile, the ‘Growing Food, Growing Community’ project developed in partnership between Holywood Transition Town, Holywood Shared Town, Derry City & Strabane District Council and the Acorn Fund was awarded a grant of £81,467 to develop democratic and participatory ways for communities to engage with the food system and its climate impacts, to encourage community growing initiatives and effect policy change.

Gemma McCaughley, Innovation & Voice Programme Officer commented.

“We are thrilled to have supported seven powerful projects through the Civic Innovation programme. Civic Innovation is a concept that is gaining increased relevance as our society recognises that we all should be empowered to be problem solvers. Civic innovation encourages community-driven ideas and solutions to address inequality and build trust. So far the Civic Innovation programme has invested £900,000 into innovative projects which are making change across Northern Ireland.”