A\u00a0 fund described by a Belfast community group as offering a \u201clifeline to deepen relationships\u201d will soon reopen for applications with a total of \u00a3500,000 on offer, as the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) prepares to launch the third round of its Connect Fund grant programme. The Connect Fund strengthens collaboration between community and voluntary groups across the east and west of the UK, and has so far awarded over \u00a31m to 46 projects across Northern Ireland and Great Britain. It funds projects that tackle shared challenges across the UK, bringing community and voluntary groups together to build long-lasting UK-wide partnerships.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen visited Belfast performance art group and Connect Fund recipient Bbeyond, to see the positive impact of the funding on the ground. The group has formed the NI-GB Performance Art Network in partnership with TactileBosch in Wales, the Belfast School of Art, and the University for the Creative Arts in Canterbury. The project will help Northern Ireland performance artists engage with the wider UK creative landscape, developing leadership skills and cultural understanding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Minister Owen said:<\/p>\n
\u201cBbeyond\u2019s exciting plans to support Northern Ireland performance artists highlight the Connect Fund\u2019s creativity and diversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile strengthening relationships between community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, the Connect Fund has supported a variety of innovative schemes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI encourage local groups with proposals to build East-West relationships to apply for the next funding opportunity when it opens in November.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bbeyond Programme Manager Bronagh Lawson said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPersonal and organisational connections outside of Northern Ireland are vital for the arts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Connect Fund has been a lifeline to deepen relationships, forge new connections and\u00a0bring real opportunities to our members.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEast-West understanding has started to open up, and when artists get together you can be sure the result will be well beyond your original predicted outcome!\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the last two years, Connect Fund grants have enriched community and voluntary organisations, enabling them to stage theatre production tours and musical performances, host cross-Nation summits and leadership forums, and launch youth programmes. Successful applicants have strengthened East-West connections by developing civic relationships; supporting the development of links based around culture, sports and people; building leadership capability; and facilitating constructive dialogue on opportunities and challenges facing UK communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n