T23-103BUS PEACEPLUS Gateways to Rural Participation

Derry City and Strabane District Council invite suppliers to tender for a PeacePlus Gateways to Rural Participation programme. Through the Co-design PEACE PLUS process, it was recognised that there are rural inequalities in the Derg, Faughan and Sperrin District Electoral areas (DEA’s) and also a perception from some rural identities and rural single identity groups of under-representation in prior PEACE funding. Good Relations Issues in rural communities manifest differently to urban areas (Beyond Belfast/Cost of Division 2007). This project aims to address these concerns. It will identify a minimum of 15 groups from Derg, Faughan and Sperrin (including Orange Lodges, sports, youth, faith/church groups, uniformed, women’s and BME groups) and conduct an initial audit of their needs. These groups will then participate in a tailored capacity building/leadership training, learning by ‘doing’, connectivity events and social sustainability events. A total of 305 participants will engage in cross-community activity through the project. The Co-design process identified this project as of particular interest to PUL rural identities as well as wider rural groups. The project will bring diverse, sometimes polarised communities together, building relationships, trust and breaking down barriers and should also include a suitable cross-border dimension. Please refer to the CfT documents for further detail.