Civil Society
The community and voluntary sectors in Northern Ireland play a key role in the pattern of good governance in the region. Non-Government Organisations have seen a significant evolution in Northern Ireland over the past 20 years from having little influence in public life to a position in which they are recognised as key players in community development processes and important contributors to social policy formulation. The increasingly active role of Northern Ireland citizens in taking responsibility for community issues is demonstrated in the number of innovative models of partnership which have been initiated in Northern Ireland in recent years. The growing influence and sophistication of the voluntary and community sectors is most notably exemplified with the introduction of District Partnerships under the auspices of the European Union Peace and Reconciliation Programme.
NI-CO's Key Areas of Expertise:
- Strengthening the non profit making sectors
- Developing models for more democratic institutions and practices
- Fostering community based partnership strategies
- Promoting active and well informed citzenship
- Design of consultative mechanisms to encourage social, economic and cultural development
- Management of small grant funds