This week, we welcomed Alex Norris MP, the Minister for Democracy and Local Growth, along with representatives from the community and arts sectors, to discuss the Community Ownership Fund (COF).
The Community Ownership Fund, a UK government initiative, aims to empower local communities by providing the means to take ownership of cherished local assets and amenities at risk of closure. This £150 million fund has been instrumental in supporting various projects across Northern Ireland, helping to preserve and enhance vital community spaces.
Round table discussion with community and arts sector
During his visit, Mr Norris had the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from several beneficiaries of the fund, including Nerve Centre and community groups from Derry, Antrim, Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Belfast. They shared their experiences, highlighting the positive impact the funding has had on their local areas and the important difference it has made to their work. Projects ranged from saving historic buildings and repurposing decommissioned PSNI stations, to refurbishing cultural facilities to ensure they remain in community use. These stories showcased the fund’s crucial role in fostering community resilience and pride
Nerve Centre, known for its innovative approach to creative technologies and community engagement, provided an ideal backdrop for these discussions. Its own success story of community-driven initiatives resonated with the themes of the Community Ownership Fund. The Fund is supporting Nerve Centre in repurposing its Magazine Studios building to drive creative and cultural development in the city, in a radically changed post-Covid context.
Mr Norris expressed his admiration for the creativity and dedication demonstrated by Northern Irish communities in utilising the fund. He emphasised the importance of such initiatives in strengthening local ties and preserving cultural heritage, particularly in a region with a rich and complex history.
Alex Norris MP taking tour of Nerve Centre
The event also served as a platform for recipients to voice their thoughts on the fund's implementation and suggest potential improvements. This feedback is invaluable for policymakers in shaping future community support programmes and provides a welcome opportunity to ensure that the voices of Northern Ireland’s communities are heard.
As the visit concluded, there was a real sense of optimism among attendees. The success stories shared at Nerve Centre stand as a testament to the power of community ownership and the positive change that can be achieved when local people are given the tools and resources to invest in their shared future.