The Northern Ireland Executive Office writes:<\/p>\n
First Minister, The Rt. Hon. Arlene Foster MLA and the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness today launched Urban Villages Strategic Frameworks designed to improve good relations and develop areas which have suffered economic and social challenges.<\/p>\n
Ministers pictured with local school children Eva McDaid (Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir) and Sam Hughes (Fountain Primary SchoSpeaking at the launch at the Gasyard Centre, Derry-Londonderry, the First Minister Arlene Foster said:\u00a0\u2019I welcome the launch of the Urban Villages Strategic Frameworks which will unlock potential right across government to transform areas which have seen years of decline and deprivation.<\/p>\n
\u2018These Frameworks are testimony to the Executive\u2019s ambition for Urban Village areas and our commitment to deliver positive and lasting change in Northern Ireland. Shaped by local communities, they reflect their priorities and desire to realise the full potential of the people and places where they live.\u00a0 The Frameworks identify opportunities and provide a clear vision for a comprehensive and \u2018joined up\u2019 approach in support of good relations and Programme for Government outcomes.\u00a0 The Northern Ireland Executive is delivering a \u00a32.6million capital programme across five areas this year and supporting community-based projects to enhance local partnerships and better ways of working together.\u00a0 As First Minister, I talk about my positive ambition for Northern Ireland and I believe that initiatives such as these will help communities to grow and work together.\u2019<\/p>\n
The deputy First Minister,\u00a0Martin McGuinness said: \u2018This \u00a345 million of planned capital investment over the Programme for Government period will help to transform the physical environment in these places. It will build capacity for the local community and foster positive community identities.\u00a0The Strategic Frameworks build on what already works and will enable current and future investment to be delivered in more effective and sustainable ways.\u00a0 They provide government and other stakeholders with local insight and an invaluable resource to more effectively tackle economic, environmental and social challenges which impact on people\u2019s daily lives.\u00a0 The old approach of Government departments working in isolation is a thing of the past. In the Bogside, Fountain and Bishop Street, this means aligning approaches to health and wellbeing and supporting young people, and delivering capital investment to tackle dereliction and vacancy, including working\u00a0with other government partners to take forward the regeneration of the Meenan Shops complex and further public realm improvements.\u2019<\/p>\n
The event also included presentations of the collaborative work that has taken place with local communities and partner organisations, whilst showcasing projects and programmes which show cross-executive working in the five neighbourhoods including Ardoyne and Greater Ballysillan; Bogside, Fountain and Bishop Street; Colin; EastSide; and Sandy Row, Donegall Pass and the Markets.<\/p>\n
View the press release<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Urban Villages Strategic Framework programme has been launched in Northern Ireland (NI), looking to address issues in areas of economic and social change. The Northern Ireland Executive Office writes: First Minister, The Rt. Hon. Arlene Foster MLA and the … Continue reading