IFI'S Active Play Project supporting wellbeing in border communities  

A new project is using sport and physical activity programmes to build positive long-lasting relationships and improve the social and emotional well-being of adults and children in disadvantaged cross-border urban communities in Derry and Donegal.

The 'Community Active Play Project' has received funding of €115,000 from the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) under the organisation’s Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP).

CiPP has a focus on developing and embedding sustainable relationships on a cross-border basis, through supporting cooperation and innovation between groups and organisations North and South. 

The project will be led by Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership (WNP) in collaboration with Donegal Local Sports Partnership (DLSP. it will develop and implement a series of sport and physical activity programmes. 

It will work specifically with community organisations in Waterside Neighbourhood Renewal Area, Letterkenny and Donegal Town, with the purpose of engaging adults and children from disadvantaged cross-border urban communities.  

Commenting on the launch of the project, Paddy Harte, IFI Chair, said: “The launch of “Community Active Play Project” represents an exciting new opportunity for the communities involved. 

“The concept of ‘Active Play’ with a primary focus on recreational games, sports and physical activity is a wonderful means by which to engage and work with communities. 

“Engagement through the medium of sport and physical activity helps to break down barriers and create new relationships while positively impacting physical and emotional wellbeing. 

“I want to commend the Donegal Local Sports Partnership whose foresight and expertise recognised the huge potential of using Active Play as the foundation for this cross-border community project and who have now joined forces with the Waterside Partnership Area to develop and roll-out the series of activities.” 

Mr Harte added he was confident the “exemplary” relationship building credentials of both organisations would facilitate positive community engagement.

He added: “They will also provide an avenue in which to make a strong contribution to improving the lived experiences of adults and children in the affected cross-border urban communities.

“We are particularly pleased to support this project under our Communities in Partnership Programme, which values innovation and the creation of positive and long-lasting relationships between cross-border communities who share similar challenges.” 

Alison Wallace, Strategy Manager at Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership said: “Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership are delighted that the Active Play Programme has received funding and to be part of the cross-border partnership delivering the programme.  

“We see the use of Active Play as an exciting and innovative way to build cross-border working and to support the further development of community relations in the Waterside.” 

“The ‘Community Active Play Project’ has been divided into four action areas rolled out over a 12-month period. It will commence with the programme development, consultation, and set-up with community groups.

“Phase two will see the recruitment and training of 45 ‘Active Play Leaders’ from within each community followed by phase three with the roll-out of an ‘Active Play’ programme of 8 to 12 weeks duration in three areas with an expected 120 children aged 8 to 12 benefitting.

“The final phase will involve a cross-border showcase event sharing the learnings from the pilot to other relevant community organisations.”