Co-operation Ireland funds and facilitates a number of groups under its youth and community Exchanges Programme. These groups tend to be community-based groups that are active in their locality.
The Exchanges Programme makes a huge contribution in enabling groups to develop links with other diverse groups and plays a facilitating role in fostering a deep understanding of difference, not only for those who participate in these programmes, but also among others in their centres and in their wider communities. The approach of fostering meaningful and lasting relationships is based on mutual support, the sharing of experiences and practical training programmes.
As a way of deepening this aspect of its exchange work,
Co-operation Ireland is currently delivering a 3-year
cross-border programme for groups in the youth and
community sectors. This programme is called:
‘Beyond Borders: Contact, Co-operate, Change’
Funding has been secured from the International Fund for
Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Republic
of Ireland and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy
First Minister at the Community Relations Unit in Northern
Ireland, to deliver this programme in order to achieve the
following:
◆ Develop, pilot, measure and evaluate a methodology
of cross-border work that is sustained, developmental and
systemic
◆ Work with 24 groups on a number of projects
◆ Develop the capacity of group leaders within this
cross-border context
◆ Embed the principles of inclusion, equality and
respect for difference into the cultural life of
participating groups
◆ Evaluate the impact of this project on
participating groups
◆ Produce and publish practice and learning
materials
Please note that we are no longer accepting applications for this programme as we are fully subscribed. To receive further information on the programme email
Gus Moore or
Barry Fennell.
