The District Council Good Relations Programme (DCGRP) is a match funded good relations funding Programme delivered jointly by The Executive Office (TEO) and District Councils as part of the wider ‘Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) Strategy. The Programme aims to improve relations between and within District Council areas and support local solutions to local good relations issues.
Over the last year, the DCGRP team in TEO co-ordinated a series of Shared Learning Forums, bringing together TEO staff, Community Relations Council (CRC) representatives, and local Council Good Relations Officers (GROs). These events provided a platform for attendees to discuss a range of common issues and share information and good practice on Good Relations delivery.
This series of events culminated in a plenary forum involving all 11 councils, along with TEO and CRC colleagues, hosted in the Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown. After opening remarks from Gavin King, head of the District Councils, Camps and Interventions (DCI) branch, TEO’s mapping and outcomes team gave a presentation showcasing new ways for GROs to demonstrate the success and effectiveness of their projects.
Each council then gave a short presentation discussing successes and challenges in delivery, and examples of innovative practice. Topics included Holocaust memorial events, environmental programmes, cultural celebrations & Traveller outreach work. The event concluded with closing remarks from Jaqueline Irwin, Chief Executive of CRC, who stressed the value and importance of the work carried out by Good Relations staff.
Feedback on these events has been very positive, and it is hoped to further develop opportunities for shared learning as the Programme continues.