Social Investment Fund - South East Zone - Discuss with Holywood Shared Town

The Social Investment Fund aims to reduce poverty; reduce unemployment; and address physical deterioration through strategic area based interventions which will be delivered in partnership with communities.

Social Investment Fund - South East Zone - Community Consultation Events The Social Investment Fund aims to reduce poverty; reduce unemployment; and address physical deterioration through strategic area based interventions which will be delivered in partnership with communities. The 4 strategic objectives of the fund are to support communities to:

Build pathways to employment

Tackle the systemic issues linked to deprivation

Increase community services

Address dereliction



Ards Community Network, 43-45 Frances Street

Newtownards 27th November 12pm-2pm

What is SIF?

The Social Investment Fund (SIF) was agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive to tackle some of the causes and effects of poverty, disadvantage and dereliction in areas of Northern Ireland.

The fund will target those areas and communities where the issues are clearly seen to be having an impact on the quality of lives and opportunities for communities. The focus of the work will be on supporting communities to gain employment and training, tackling issues such as poor mental and physical health while improving the facilities and look of an area.

How much is the Fund?

The Executive has set aside £80m to deliver the Fund. This is a new funding stream which will be additional to existing programmes and initiatives currently active within communities.

Where does SIF apply?

The Government has identified 9 social investment zones, one of which is the South East Zone. The SE Zone covers Lisburn, Down, Ards and North Down Council Areas.

Developing a plan for the SE Zone

Funding will be based on a zone plan which will identify issues, needs and priorities. This plan will contain up to 10 strategic projects which will be submitted to OFMDFM for approval. The plan will be drawn up by a Zone Steering Group, made up of community/voluntary, political, government and private sector individuals appointed by the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

When?

The plan for each Zone is being drawn up between October and December 2012 and submitted to OFMDFM for approval in January. This plan will then be assessed and successful projects delivered between 2013 and 2015.

Discussion of relevance to Social Investment Fund for Holywood

We are keen to hear the views of the residents of Holywood on the relevance of the fund for Holywood. It is important that if we get involved it should done strategically, with evidence of need, ensurance of sustainability and link to the overall long term community planning for Holywood and area.

What are your views on the following questions?

1. Building pathways to employment – what jobs should Holywood be seeking to develop in the area that will target the less academically able to offer them worthwhile and sustainable employment here?

2. Tackle systemic issues linked to deprivation – what are the systemic issues in the Holywood area and how can these best be addressed?

3. Increase community services – what are the priorities for community services in the area and what is the evidence of need?

4. Address dereliction – where are the areas of dereliction in the Holywood area and how can we best approach them?