Local residents and community representatives from Donegal and Tyrone came together to celebrate the achievements of the participants of the Finn Valley Men’s Project, a cross community, cross border project run by the Lifford/Clonleigh Resource Centre (LCRC).
The event also marked the conclusion of the first phase of this highly successful eighteen month project, funded by the International Fund for Ireland under its Peace Impact Programme.
The celebration event took place in Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar, where the participants received their certificates.
The Finn Valley Men’s Project worked with over 120 men aged over 25 years in four key areas in the Finn Valley region – Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Castlefinn and Lifford in Co. Donegal and Sion Mills in Co Tyrone.
Working closely with the Donegal ETB, the project offered the men’s groups the opportunity to undertake educational and skills training programmes including:
• Return to Learning Short Courses
• FETAC Level 2 (Major Award) Communications for the Workplace (a part-time course for adults, who left school early and who want to revisit their reading, writing, spelling, maths and learn the basics of using a computer in preparation for entering work).
• Personal Development/Confidence Building
• Committee Skills
• Team Building and Leadership and a range of skills training.
Speaking at the event, Mr Paddy Harte, Board Member of the International Fund for Ireland said: “The fund was delighted to support this cross-border, cross-community project which sought to engage with individuals in targeted urban and rural areas that had not previously participated in community development and peace building projects.
Members of the project management team with Paddy Harte, I.F.I. Seated from left, Bríd Foley, Paddy Harte and Kathleen Bonner. Standing from left, Patsy O’Hagan, Geraldine Perez, Liam McConalogue and Mary Holmes.
“The outcome is that over 120 participants from both sides of the border have learned new skills and gained a better understanding of the benefits of peace and reconciliation which I have no doubt will be of great benefit to them personally and to their communities in future years.
“Nurturing greater cross-border and cross-community links is an important element of this project, which is funded by the International Fund for Ireland with the aim of advancing trust and understanding between both communities in the Finn Valley and Sion Hills, Co Tyrone.
“I would like to congratulate all of the participants here this evening on their successful participation in the project and wish them well for the future”.
Brid Foley, Clonleigh Resource Centre Manager thanked the IFI for the funding support, “without which this project would not have been possible.
“This project has encouraged people to get involved in community life, to learn and accept history, culture and tradition as well as receive training.
“It has been rewarding to see so many people come together to support the project and get involved in activities and I would like to say a special thank you to Kathleen Bonner, Project Co-Ordinator and Mary Holmes, Outreach worker for helping to
make this project such a success.
“Feedback from the participants has been very positive and I have no doubt that this project will leave a lasting positive legacy not just for the participants themselves but also for their wider communities”.
