ALI MCALLISTER

NEVILLE ARMSTRONG

Rural Enabler Programme

Background

RCN’s vision of vibrant, articulate, inclusive and sustainable rural communities across Northern Ireland contributing to a prosperous, equitable, peaceful and stable society

RCN’s commitment to tackling sectarianism, racism & polarisation

RCN’s belief in the need to build relationships to improve space sharing and sustainability of rural communities

Key Characteristics

Partnership – RCN, DARD, IRL,DCELGSub-regional Advisory GroupsFlexible approach to working with

groups and individualsRural definition <4,500Facilitatory Development Grants

Relevance to Spatial Planning

Conflict in border regions has shaped how communities view each other

Planning of physical space & services can no longer accommodate ‘two sides’

Planning can contribute to addressing or contributing to the impacts of conflict and racism

Enablers

Helping communities and institutions work through issues at local level to improve space sharing

12 County specific in NI & BCI responding to local specific needs

1 Institutions Enabler focusing on supporting institutions to be responsive to others in rural communities

Approaches

Unlimited time to progress actions to meet the needs of the area

Working in partnership with statutory, voluntary & community agencies

Bespoke actions and projects to meet local specific needs

Small financial support if required

What will we leave behind?

Improvements in how we live, work & socialise will contribute to better planning

Rural tourism initiatives will be increased through safer, cohesive communities

Institutional awareness of their role in sustaining cohesive rural communities

Confident and capable responses to dealing with legacy of the past and challenges of the present

Local Perspectives

Value of taking a community development approach

Recognising how relationships and trust matter

“Relationships are the heart and bloodline of peace-building “ J P Lederach 1997

Fermanagh – a border county (143 miles of it!)

Recognising intrinsic link between a peaceful society and economic prosperity – mutual interdependence

“In Northern Ireland the need to locate community relations issues at the centre of such a planning dialogue is crucial “ Murtagh The Politics of Territory London Palgrave 2004

What we can learn from local initiatives

Nothing is ever as simple as it seems ~ North/South Teemore – Leitrim Connects Project ~

Good practice comes from mutually useful and successful projects - NISE Kesh/Pettigo

Focusing on what unites and not divides – young people, sport and sectional interests – Vintage vehicles, social economy and shared history

Local initiatives and how they feed into policy development – Clones-Erne East Youth – Youth Action CAWT Older People and LAGs + Rural Men

Lessons learned from Enabler experience

Often community and voluntary sector are very much part of the problem – and the solution.

Cross-community trust is hard won, easily under-mined and often restricted to a few.

Thematic approach works – Tourism, Young People, Rural Development, Sport and Institutions.

Value of shared outcomes not understood by all.

Urban – rural divide real and tangibleProgramme development is slow and positive

results take time ~ outcomes