‘Coasts, Hills & Glens’ Programme secures €252,000 of IFI funding

An innovative new cross-border programme, funded by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), and led by a partnership between Enterprise Causeway and Rathmullan the Way Forward CLG, has held its first cross-border meeting in Rathmullan House, Donegal.

The Connecting Communities - Coasts, Hills and Glens programme sets out to connect coastal, rural and border communities and development groups that share similar development interests north and south.

The project will connect and build new relationships between the people that are involved in community projects in each area such as rural regeneration, cultural heritage promotion, tourism development, environmental protection, local schools, social enterprises and the residents of community areas right along the North Atlantic coastline.

The programme is being led by Rathmullan The Way Forward CLG, an innovative development group in its own right and the catalyst behind the ambitious Rathmullan Community and Heritage Regeneration Project, in partnership with Donegal County Council.

The groups partner, Enterprise Causeway, is an award- winning social enterprise based in Coleraine who are also leading a transformational community regeneration project at Bushmills Courthouse. Enterprise Causeway support area-development groups, volunteers and committees in communities right across the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

Speaking at the first meeting of cross-border committee that will oversee the projects implementation, Mick McGlynn, Chairperson of Rathmullan the Way Forward said: “We are delighted to have secured €252,000 of funding from the International Fund for Ireland which is a great vote of confidence in the development work which are doing here in Rathmullan and our approach to community-led regeneration.

“Our approach to development is inclusive and everyone in the community has the opportunity to get involved in our voluntary work and the area’s development. We recognise the significant value of building further cross-border and cross-community connections between communities in Donegal and the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

"In leading the project our aim is that it will open up opportunities for both our committee and for other community groups across Donegal.”

Jayne Taggert, Chief Executive of Enterprise Causeway said: “We are very excited about the opportunities that this Coasts, Hills and Glens programme will provide to our communities, volunteers and committees, right across the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

Welcoming €252,000 from the International Fund for Ireland to deliver the new Connecting Communities - Coasts, Hills and Glens programme across the Causeway and County Donegal areas are (l-r): Stephen Barrett, Programme Manager, International Fund for Ireland; Shaun Kennedy, Project Coordinator Coasts, Hills & Glens at Enterprise Causeway; Claire Heaney-McKee, Project Coordinator Coasts, Hills & Glens at Rathmullan the Way Forward; John Gallagher, Secretary, Rathmullan the Way Forward; Mick McGlynn, Chairperson, Rathmullan the Way Forward; Jayne Taggart, CEO, Enterprise Causeway; and Shauna Irons, Enterprise Causeway.

"We also look forward to showcasing the innovative work which is underway at the Bushmills Courthouse project, and to unlocking the potential of many other development initiatives across the Borough.

"The programme will bring people from both areas together to support their ideas, their ambitions and to support their development projects.”

The Connecting Communities - Coasts, Hills and Glens programme is one of a series of new projects being funded by the International Fund for Ireland’s (IFI) under the organisations new Communities in Partnership Programme (CIPP) and will building meaningful and lasting connections between innovative development groups and social enterprises in community areas north and south.

If you would like to find out more information about the project please contact Claire Heaney McKee at claire.rtwf@gmail.com or Shaun Kennedy at shaun@enterprisecauseway.co.uk.