A NEW cross-border project, which aims to connect women from different areas and cultural and religious backgrounds, is being rolled out in Inishowen and Newtownabbey.  There will be two programmes delivered in the next 18 months. The project will develop women peacebuilders, peer leaders and mentors in the community by creating cross-border and cross- community links, promoting dialogue, skills, knowledge transfer, and developing the capacity for community cohesion.  

The project is funded under the International Fund for Ireland’s, Communities in Partnership Programme and is a collaboration between IDP in Buncrana along with the Breen Centre in Ballymoney, who are lead partner on the project.

IFI Chair, Paddy Harte says; “We recognise that the most vulnerable and marginalised communities still face many challenges across Northern Ireland and in the border counties.  Our CiPP Programme is designed to develop long-term collaborative relationships on a cross-border basis that communities can benefit from.

“We hope that by providing this funding we can give communities the tools to help build stability and opportunity for future generations, which supports the IFI’s vison of creating a lasting peace and shared society for all.”

Denise McCool, team lead with IDP and a member of the ‘Women Crossing Borders’ (WCB) Steering group explains “The programme will provide opportunities for sustained, meaningful and purposeful contact between individuals and groups of different backgrounds, on a cross-border basis. The planning work with the Breen Centre in developing this project is building great groundwork for the delivery of this programme.”

‘Women Crossing Borders’ will bring together women from Inishowen with women from the predominantly Protestant community in and around Newtownabbey.

Áine McLaughlin, Community Development Officer with IDP said they are delighted to have received the funding from the IFI to offer this opportunity to women to get involved in this exciting new project, along with the Breen Centre.

“Inishowen has a strong grounding in community engagement– however there are always opportunities to build on this especially for the women’s sector.  Several women’s programmes have also been initiated by the Breen Centre and one of the challenges highlighted by the women from that work in Rathcoole is that there is a very low level of community services within the community,” explained Áine.

“Our aim is that ‘Women Crossing Borders’ will deliver opportunities for sustained development and meaningful connections between women from the Rathcoole estate and local women in Inishowen. Through coming together each can share the challenges and potential to support community development and dialogue within and across their communities.”

Áine says they are looking forward to working closer with the Breen Centre and the women from Rathcoole who they have already met during a visit to Inishowen earlier this year.

“Most of these women had never been to the Republic of Ireland but we had a great time when we got together last May. This project is a real opportunity for women to come together, share life experiences and understand more about each other’s cultures, similarities and diversities,” added Áine.

As part of ‘Women Crossing Borders’ programme there will be two periods of intake for each 20-week programme with the first one commencing in September and the second in February 2025.   There will be six cultural trips and two overnight trips over each course along with local meetups, workshops and activities with 15 Inishowen women and 15 women from Newtownabbey on each course. All activities will be fully funded by the IFI.

Similarly, Adree Wallace and the Board of the Breen Centre say they are delighted to have this opportunity to collaborate with IDP and the women of Inishowen and hope that the new shared experiences will result in sustainable development and community engagement for the women of Rathcoole and beyond.

If any local women are interested in becoming involved in the project or would like to find out more contact Áine by emailing [email protected] or call her on 086-102-8846.