The Grassroots Leadership Programme aims to support the development of emerging community leaders whose work is focussed on the regeneration of interfaces and/or communities where more concentrated peacebuilding efforts are needed. It will help develop confidence and capacity to address division, segregation, prejudice and hate – issues which impact on community cohesion and hold communities back.
The Programme is facilitated by Community Foundation Northern Ireland, an organisation with a long-standing history steeped in peacebuilding and conflict transformation activities.
Commencing in 2020, the programme will target 15-20 individuals per year from a range of communities across Northern Ireland. Each programme will last 12 months, and participants will receive a range of support and development opportunities including:
- Participation on OCN Level 1 and 3 in Community Development courses incorporating leadership and conflict transformation elements delivered by highly experienced facilitators and trainers (with an opportunity to submit portfolio/workbook to OCN to gain qualification)
- One-to-one mentoring provided by highly qualified and experienced mentors/coaches and community leaders. Mentoring will take place throughout the programme and will support participants to explore and develop their individual leadership style and skills
- Study visits to develop peace building and leadership knowledge and understanding
- Opportunities for bespoke learning and development based on participant’s needs
- Completion of Community Foundation’s Power Analysis Tool Kit
- Access to a range of local and international leaders who will share their experience to aid learning and development
- Networking, not only with fellow participants, but with a range of organisations and agencies across the region
Participant Criteria
- Participants will be 18 years and over
- They will have a keen desire to challenge themselves and to build their resilience and confidence to help transform local communities
- They will have a willingness to work with people from across political and religious divides and view this as an opportunity to learn, develop and grow
- They will have been involved in some form of conflict transformation and/or peace building work in the last 12-24 months, either in a voluntary or paid capacity
- They will be committed to completing the programme
- They will have the support of the community-based organisation they are linked to (Community Foundation NI will contact respective community organisations to confirm their support, especially in cases where the participant is an employee).
Deadline
Submissions for the 2020 cohort of participants must be sent by Friday 27 March 2020.
Attend the Course
For further information email Lorraine Morrissey McCann on lorraine@communityfoundationni.org