Louth Minority Ethnic Consortium Integration of Target Communities Project (ITC) Post Project Evaluation Report Project Ref:
035707
Date of Report: January 2014
Author of Report: Tosin Omiyale for LMEC Project
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Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................... 4 PROJECT INFORMATION .................................................................................................................................. 5 Brief History of Project and Key Stages in Development of the Project ....................................................... 5 Integration of Target Communities Project (ITC Project) ............................................................................. 6 Key Stages in the Development of Project ................................................................................................... 6 ASSESEMENT OF NEEDS ................................................................................................................................... 7 Pre-Project Development:........................................................................................................................ 7 During Project Development:................................................................................................................... 7 Sample Quotes from Participants ................................................................................................................ 8 RELEVANCE ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Description of Project Main Activities/Objectives ..................................................................................... 10 Scoping and Recruitment of Participants: .............................................................................................. 10 Birthplace ............................................................................................................................................... 12 Nationality ............................................................................................................................................. 13 Ethnicity ................................................................................................................................................. 13 Consultation and Information Sharing with Local Residents and Stakeholders: .................................... 14 Integration Workshop, Training and Planning of Local Activities ........................................................... 14 Local Integration Activities (Social Inclusion Indicator) .......................................................................... 15 Good Practice Study Group Visit ............................................................................................................ 15 Integration of Target Communities Conference and Discussion Workshop........................................... 16 RISK ASSESEMENT:......................................................................................................................................... 17 IMPACT/OUTCOMES OF PROJECT .................................................................................................................. 17 Key Achievements and impacts ..................................................................................................................... 17 Project Indicators as per Letter of Offer .................................................................................................... 17 
6 Target groups engaged:............................................................................................................... 17 2
Project Action Plan and Achievements ...................................................................................................... 18 Sample Quote from Participants ................................................................................................................ 22 Value for money and added value ................................................................................................................. 23 Synergy with other work: ............................................................................................................................... 23 Learning: Strengths, Weakness and Good Practise ........................................................................................ 23 SUSTAINABILITY: ............................................................................................................................................ 24 RECOMMENDATION: ..................................................................................................................................... 25
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Many decades after peace agreement has been signed, the Island of Ireland has experienced demographic change with the migration of people from different continents. This inward migration has seen the mono-cultural Island become multicultural, but also with socio-cultural issues that could be a threat to sustainable peace in the Island of Ireland. According to the recent population census, in the context of County Louth, there has been an increase in the population growth of immigrants especially Black ethnic community. The percentage of people with African background living in County Louth (21.57%) is significantly higher than the nationwide percentage of this group (10.8%), which suggests that County Louth host more people with African Background. However, prejudice experience by the Irish Travellers has been extended to the new communities residing in Co Louth and has become a threat to building positive relations. The Integration of Target Communities Project is centered on cross-level social cohesion, inclusion of ethnic minorities, including Irish Travellers, with the aim of developing and implementing events and programmes towards integration in consonance with the aim of creating a greater intercultural exchange and understanding, awareness of the various cultures in Louth, and building positive relationship at the local level towards a peaceful, and inclusive society. Through qualitative data derived from working with local groups, the project identified issues such as cultural tension, prejudice, isolation and gap between local policy and practise towards the integration of ethnic minorities. The completion of the project benefited the rural and urban areas in the County, with the peace III target groups. Examples of such achievements include: Enhanced social ties and cross level networks, increase in intercultural understanding and awareness, formed links between relevant stakeholders and local community groups , which enhanced capacity and skills development and greater value for identity, increase in positive relations, and social inclusion. The project also recommends the following: developmental learning process that will educate the locals, establish intermediary bodies between ethnic minority groups and local/regional government infrastructures, develop a county wide integration strategy and development of intercultural learning in school curriculum to enhance diversity education of young people to prevent future cultural tension. 4
PROJECT INFORMATION Brief History of Project and Key Stages in Development of the Project During the completion of the first phase of the Peace III programme in County Louth, Louth Minority Ethnic Consortium (LMEC) involving other community group-partners, identified issues of cultural/ethnic conflict between immigrants and Irish natives, xenophobic attitudes and the possible increase in racism, mono-cultural attitudes and unintentional socio-cultural exclusion in County Louth. The need to advance cross-cultural positive relations and challenge attitudes of racism locally was principal to the progression of Peace III Phase II programme and the initiation of Integration of Target Communities Project. Integration of Target Communities Project was developed under the County Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership strategic priority of ‘Celebrating the Diverse Community in Louth’ by providing an area based community specific diversity awareness training to target emerging issues, support for festivals and events that promote and celebrate diversity and highlighting the work of the PEACE programme among the local media. The concept of integration as adopted in this project report refers to a1 two-way process of mutual accommodation involving the immigrants and the receiving society. This means there are two parties involved in integration processes: the immigrants, their characteristics, efforts and adaptation, and the receiving society and its reactions to these newcomers. It is the interaction between the two that determines the direction and the ultimate outcome of integration process. 2The European Union in its denotation of the importance of integration developed indicators for monitoring Integration, which includes: Employment, Education, Social inclusion and Active citizenship. ‘Integration’ in this project report (ITC project) covers the social aspect and has a focus and impact on social inclusion, building positive relations and a peaceful, inclusive and confident society. 3 It is 1
The Integration Centre and The Economic and Social Research Institute(2010, p.1), Annual Monitoring Report
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Council of the European Union(2009). The Stockholm Programme(Accessed Online) available at http://www.se2009.eu/polopoly_fs/1.26419!menu/standard/file/Klar_Stockholmsprogram.pdf 3
Paffenholz, T(2011) Exploring Opportunities and Obstacles for a Constructive Role of Social Capital in Peacebuilding: A Framework for Analysis. In Cox, M(Eds) Social Capital and Peacebuilding: Creating and resolving conflict with trust and social network, Routledge, Oxon
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widely accepted in theory and practice that social cohesion, inclusion, building and linking relationships across different levels in a society is a sustainable approach to peacebuilding, therefore establishing the importance of social bonding and cross-level relationship building programmes such as Integration of Target Communities Project, to ensuring positive peace in the society.
Integration of Target Communities Project (ITC Project) The Integration of Target Communities Project brought together and supported local resident groups/ youth groups / local organisations/ schools / ethnic minority lead organisations including Travellers, in the target areas. These target groups involved in the project (with the support of project officer) developed and implemented events and programmes towards integration in consonance with the aim of creating a greater intercultural exchange and understanding, awareness of the various cultures in Louth, building positive relationship at the local level towards a peaceful, inclusive and confident community, where fears and hurts have been reconciled and developed strategies for inclusion of minority ethnic groups, focusing on their participation in the planning, implementation and delivery of service provision. The project progressed on the work done in phase I by:
Building confidence within the communities Enhancing social ties, and cross level networks Establishing a basis for groups and leadership to emerge and a stronger voice for target groups among the targeted sectors and groups Enhancing capacity to help develop longer term friendship and co-operation between different communities Address sectarianism and racism Developing positive relations Support dialogue between the target groups within the target areas to reduce sectarianism and racism and better relationships creating a more peaceful community Respond to the needs of the groups Ensuring a legacy has been left for communities to follow through on peace building and community building for the future
Key Stages in the Development of Project
Scoping and Recruitment of Participants
Consultation with Local Stakeholders and Information Sharing
Integration Workshop, Training and Planning of Local Activities 6
Local Integration Activities (Social Inclusion Indicator)
Good Practice Study Group Visit
Integration of Target Communities Conference and Discussion Workshop
ASSESEMENT OF NEEDS Pre-Project Development: The County Louth Peace III Priority 3 plan identifies the need for the integration of target communities in the mainstream Co. Louth society from the perspective of the local community and the need for capacity building of local communities to reach out to target groups in places where they live as well as engagement in mainstream events. Members of the Louth Minority Ethnic Consortium and other ethnic minority groups identified other gaps such as:
Ethnic Minority groups at different levels of capacity Language barriers Lack of racist /sectarian monitoring system Lack of access to funding for ethnic minority and other faith groups Lack of understanding of their cultures and issues facing them by majority communities Lack of meaningful integration within some areas in the county Lack of recognition of Travellers ethnicity
During the pre-project assessment of needs, it became apparent that certain communities felt that they had been missed in previous funding cycles, the examples that were repeatedly expressed were the Traveller community, newly arrived migrants and the geographically areas of the Cooley peninsula. During Project Development: During the Integration of Target Communities Project Integration workshop and training and using focus group, interview sessions and group observation, participating community groups and organisations in each of the geographical locations identified local problems and gaps that can be addressed through the project resources. The qualitative needs assessment data provided below is derived from the local group and stakeholder sources that participated in the project. The data below (figure 1) shows identified issues that are centered on inclusion, cohesion and policy. The community groups also expressed dissatisfaction with the existing gap between ethnic minority 7
community needs and local/regional policies in the government and other institutions such as the media. CATEGORIES THEMES
Cultural Misunderstanding
Community
Practice
THEMES
Government & Institution
Lack of integration policy
Cultural conflict, Tension and Fear
Media misrepresentation
Stereotypes
Gap between community practice and policy to support integration of Ethnic Minorities
Prejudice: Discrimination Racism
Inclusion/ Cohesion Issues
Policy Issues
Xenophobia
No opportunity for intercultural engagement
Insufficient intercultural Education
Identity Issues
Figure 1: Needs Assessment Identified by Local Participants during the Project
Sample Quotes from Participants “Everybody keeps to themselves, I didnt know anybody from other ethnic background , I would mix more with Irish people as an Irish native, and other ethnic groups will only mix with their groups, in that way Lois Dubh is segregated, and there was a need for an
“I have seen people fighting in my neighbourhood, Irish natives and young people calling us names and telling us to back to our country, and sometimes have smashed the windows of houses where immigrants 8
intercultural project”
live”
“Many of the children felt discrimination themselves but they didn’t have any language to express it”
“People in my negihborhood from different ethnic background do not talk to one another or interact due to fear of the other”
“You hear people say to us that we are here to “My friend and I went into a jewelry shop, just take jobs and earn social benefits” to look around, on our way out, an attendant said she has to search us before we leave…it was apparent that it was because we are black” “There are young people here, predominantly from ex-prisoners background, many of them have no experience relating with people from other religion and ethnic background…I have heard many them use derogatory terms to describe these groups of people”
“I think we need opportunity to make our voice heard. The county council is not active in providing opportunities for cultural dialogue and how the media portrays immigrants does not help matter”
RELEVANCE In relation to the identified needs and gaps, The Integration of Target Communities Project worked collectively towards a peaceful, inclusive and confident community, where fears and hurts have been reconciled and diverse cultures are appreciated through integration activities developed with the target groups in the geographical areas through challenging sectarianism, discrimination and racism and promoting intercultural relations, peace and reconciliation throughout County Louth. The objectives of the Integration of Target Communities Project include:
To scope out and identify target groups and areas/communities in Co Louth in partnership with relevant stakeholders. To recruit target groups and communities to the integration programme.
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Facilitate the development and consult on the Diversity Engagement for Local Communities plan with target groups and key stakeholders. To support target groups and communities, including the allocation of funding, to implement their individual cultural diversity activities. To develop integration training programmes To organise good practice visits with the target groups identified. To continually monitor and evaluate the project’s objectives and identify the project’s impact though agreed performance indicators which will give rise to recommendations to inform a future integration plan.
Description of Project Main Activities/Objectives Scoping and Recruitment of Participants: The ITC project was implemented in both rural and urban areas and benefited the Peace target groups, marginalised groups and the wider community in County Louth. The project targeted the following communities and people in County Louth:
Muirhevnamor Geographical Area Dundalk Geographical Area Cox’s Demesne Geographical Area(including Castleross) Toberona Geographical Area Drogheda Geographical Area(including Moneymore) Lios Dubh Geographical Area Cooley Peninsula and Carlingford Geographical Area North Down Community, Newtownards, County Down
Participants in the project included: Irish natives; ethnic minority groups; immigrants from Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia; Irish Travellers; Protestant community; Muslim community; and other peace III target groups from marginalised areas in County Louth and Northern Ireland. As a part of the scoping exercise, The Integration of Target Communities Project went further to map out the population of migrants and ethnicity living in Co Louth, using the current population census. The following results were obtained:
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Figure 2: Population in Co Louth by Birthplace 2011 Born in EU (excl. Irl & UK)
5.0%
Born outside EU
4.5%
Born in the Northern Ireland
5.6%
Born in England, Scotland and Wales
3.4%
Born in Ireland
81.5%
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Figure 3: Ethnic Minorities in Co Louth 2011 Groups
County Louth
Ireland
White non-Irish
55.20%
65.60%
Black/Black Irish
21.70%
10.10%
Asian/Asian Irish
12.10%
13.20%
Other
6.70%
6.40%
From the figures 2 and 3 seen above, the following was deducted:
Birthplace ďƒź 18.5% of the population is foreign born in County Louth; an increase of 2.9% between 2006 and 2011 thanks to the arrival of the 5,365 new foreign born persons. This compares to 16.9% nationwide. Excluding those born in the UK, 9.5% of the population was born in
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countries other than Ireland and the UK showing that almost half of the foreign born population is from the UK. As indicated above, those from the UK (England & Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland) made up 48.6% of those born abroad. This is considerably higher than nationwide (37.6%). More than half of those were born in Northern Ireland which is much higher than nationwide. The share of those born in the EU is lower than nationwide; they accounted for 26.8% of the foreign born population in County Louth compared with 34.8% across Ireland. The majority of EU born population is from Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Interestingly, Polishborn and the Lithuanian born population was almost the same size. Those born outside EU made up 24.6% of total population born abroad. Unlike nationwide, African born population is the biggest group among those born outside the EU and their share among foreign born is higher than nationwide 10.5% vs. 7.1%.
Nationality 10.4% of the population is foreign nationals in County Louth; this is somewhat lower than the whole of Ireland at 12.0%. 2011 figures represent a 2.3 percentage point increase on 2006. Polish nationals are the largest group. Almost every second foreign nationals hold citizenship of EU countries (excluding UK), similar to their share nationwide (49.9% vs. 50.3%). The share of UK nationals, 15.9% is lower than in the whole of Ireland 21.1%. What is interesting is that while share of UK born is higher than nationwide, that of UK nationals is lower. The likely explanation is that many UK born persons holds Irish nationality.
Ethnicity 10.5% have ethnic or cultural backgrounds with roots in other countries in County Louth; a further 0.6% belongs to the Traveller community. In the whole of Ireland 13.3% belonged to ethnic groups with roots in other countries. There were 5,255 more members of non-Irish ethnic groups and 245 more Travellers living in County Louth in 2011 than in 2006; a significant increase. The biggest minority ethnic grouping was White non-Irish (55.2% of all non-Irish ethnic minorities) followed by Black or Black Irish (21.7%). Asian/Asian Irish and Others (including 13
mixed) accounted for a similar share of the minority ethnic population. Nationwide the share of White non-Irish was 10% higher (65.5% vs. 55.2%) and the share of Black or Black Irish is significantly lower (10.8% vs. 21.7%) suggesting that the latter group has stronger presence in County Louth than nationwide.
Consultation and Information Sharing with Local Residents and Stakeholders: Following the scoping and recruitment of participants engaged in the project, the Project Coordinator had consultation and information sharing meetings with local stakeholders, community groups and organisations in each of the areas about the integration programme and the best approach to successfully implement the programme in each location. Through the consultation meeting, the project coordinator was able to work with key stakeholders in organising local residents to take advantage of the integration resource allocation, to encourage local participation also take ownership of their local integration activities. This approach was able to address the gap in the provision of funding for the inclusion of ethnic minorities in Co Louth. It also provided a platform for diverse local residents to meet, dialogue and exchange ideas concerning their community.
Integration Workshop, Training and Planning of Local Activities Integration workshop and training was a compulsory prerequisite to avail of the resource allocation for local activities. The project coordinator delivered integration workshop and training to local residents, community groups and organisations interested in applying for resource allocation (funds). The Integration workshop was completed in each area using Participatory Learning and Action Approach- an interactive, reflective and action research method to learning and increasing community participation. Through the workshop, participating local residents were able to understand the meaning and relevance of integration, challenge negative perception of other cultural and religious groups and develop a voice to represent diverse communities. Participating local residents in each geographical area jointly came up with local issues that were perceived to be challenges to integration locally and also identified how these issues can be best approached and solved. This problem analysis and problem solving technique provided suited needs assessment for each geographical area, which was used as a baseline data and targeted response to local issues within the context of the programme objectives towards integration and positive relations building. Each geographical area had diverse groups from different religious and cultural background. As a requirement for the resource allocation application in each area, all diverse groups were encouraged to work together to submit a single project proposal for resource 14
allocation, to plan and organise local integration activities. The approach used in the workshop and submission of proposal for resource allocation was able to increase capacity, skills and knowledge of participants to address issues of racism and sectarianism, build up cooperation, capacity, trust, cultural understanding, mediation, reconciliation and partnership among the cultural-religious divers participants in the geographical areas.
Local Integration Activities (Social Inclusion Indicator) Each geographical area through the resource allocation of a maximum of â‚Ź10,000 from the Integration of Target Communities Project organised series of cultural diversity and intercultural activities, which includes: Exchange programmes(between North-South), cultural festivals, intercultural education for pupils and college students, Anti-Racism and Anti-Sectarianism educational activities, history and culture heritage, intercultural and equality workshop, art and craft, Anti-racism and social inclusion drama and exhibitions. All the local activities were organised publicly with efficient publicity and media involvement, involving the wider community, different sectors and stakeholders. The Integration activities attracted over 2000 individuals of diverse background in County Louth, including Irish natives, young and elderly, providing a common ground for shared values, dialogue, engagement, mediation and interaction. The outcomes of the local integration activities include: increase in trust among diverse local residents, social inclusion and improved relations between Irish natives and immigrant communities, increase in cultural awareness and education (especially in the rural areas), confidence in communication exchange, acceptance, increase in positive perception, developed partnership, capacity building and enhanced identity value.
Good Practice Study Group Visit Representatives from the geographical areas (12 people) were nominated to take part in a Good Practice Study Group Visit to Stockholm. The aim of the good practice study visit is to discuss and exchange ideas on integration and European migration policy, to study good examples of linking community project practice to influence policy locally and nationally, to reflect on project sustainability within this field, and to develop alternative practical ideas that may be of use locally in County Louth. The two visited organisations (Global Utmaning-Global Challenge and MĂĽngkulturellt Centrum -Multicultural Centre) are leading organisations in integration policy and practice, sustainable projects and developing partnership with the government and stakeholders towards improving the integration of migrants in Sweden. The benefit of the study visit includes added knowledge and experience: on integration effort, sustaining projects and working with business sectors, building partnerships across sectors and influencing immigration policy.
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Integration of Target Communities Conference and Discussion Workshop At the completion stage of the project, Integration of Target Communities project organised a strategic conference involving local residents; business, NGO, political, academic, public and government sectors, to review its findings from the completed project and explore integration policy, implementation, practice and its impact on communities, so as to support cross-level link between local practice and government sector, and to highlight the need for an Integration Strategy and Practise in County Louth. 4The conference was attended by 110 people, speakers across different areas on migration and integration nationally, and two TD’s as keynote speakers (Gerry Adams T.D. and Éamon Ó Cuív T.D). The conference focused on:
Integration as a driver for social and economic development and social cohesion
Supporting the capacity of minority ethnic groups including Travellers community to engage with policy makers and service deliverers
Impact of equal public service delivery on minority communities
Explore policy barriers to integration of minority ethnic communities
Ensuring positive interaction between Government and non-government bodies, and the local community to increase community participation
In relation to overall theme and programme, The Integration of Target Communities Project has worked with individuals and groups from the Travellers community, minority ethnic communities, migrants, ethnic and faith minorities, displaced people, ex-prisoners and their families, young people, women and older people and those isolated in rural border areas to resolve differences through dialogue and establish a society where there is equity, respect for diversity and recognition of interdependence. The project has been able to build social cohesion and strengthen relations across different social and structural levels in County Louth. The understanding of peacebuilding in theory and practise incorporates the importance of social cohesion to reduce social tension, develop trust, inter-group association and network, which serve as a basis towards building sustainable peace.
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see conference report on www.lmec.ie
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RISK ASSESEMENT: The Risk Register drawn up at the start of the project is categorized into:
Governance, Strategic and Management Risk Operational Risk Financial Risk Compliance Risk Environmental Risk Reputational Risk
The conflict risk that may have affected the outcome of the project is focused on operational risk. The nature of the project involved working with community groups to develop and manage local activities. The capacity and skills of these communities varied with either low or no experience of project and budget management. This inadequacy resulted into slow project output and financial management in some geographical areas. The Project coordinator provides more support to groups to address this issue.
IMPACT/OUTCOMES OF PROJECT Key Achievements and impacts Project Indicators as per Letter of Offer 6 Target groups engaged: In the ITC project, more than 6 target areas were engaged and participated in the project. The identified target areas are rural and urban areas in County Louth and in the North, having diverse group residents. The areas are:
Muirhevnamor Geographical Area(including Castleross) Dundalk Geographical Area Cox’s Demesne Geographical Area Toberona Geographical Area Drogheda Geographical Area(including Moneymore) 17
Lios Dubh Geographical Area Cooley Peninsula and Carlingford Geographical Area North Down Community, Newtownards, County Down
6 resource allocation delivered In the duration of the project, 6 resource allocations were completed. Resources were allocated to: Drogheda area, Dundalk area, Lois Dubh area, Carlingford and Cooley Peninsula area, Cox’s Demesne area, Muirhevnamor area, for proposed integration activities to strengthen social cohesion, build positive relations, reconciliation and promote diverse cultures existing in Co Louth. 42 people participated in integration programmes By the completion of the ITC project, 80 people from the target areas have participated in the Integration workshop and training. This includes peace III target groups, ethnic minorities from diverse backgrounds and local organisations across different sectors. 150 people participating in activities through the resource allocation activities including 25 cross border participants ITC project was able to reach out to more than 150 people. A record of over 1000 people participated in activities through the resource allocation activities in the target areas, including 25 cross border participants.
Project Action Plan and Achievements Project Action Plan
Benefits
Develop Project Advisory group inclusive of Peace target groups and relevant stakeholders
Development of criteria for resource allocation Successful monitoring of project Formed partnership between relevant stakeholders and local community groups for capacity and skills development
Scope & Recruit target groups and communities
Greater awareness of cultural diversity in target areas Engagement of rural and urban areas and 18
increase in cultural diversity awareness Development and consult on the Integration Engagement for Local Communities plan
Increased effective participation among peoples of local area Community engagement resulting from Strategic planning of local integration events Increase in change in negative perception of participants on cultural diversity and identity difference
Integration training and workshop programme
Evidence based information on awareness of diverse cultures and shared space
interviews with local groups and participants from the project
Updated assessment of local needs Collection of Local baseline data Qualitative project achievement data
Planning of Integration local activities and event Increased confidence amongst members of diverse community and this has in turn helped the entire community Greater community understanding of shared space as well as promoting good relations on a cross-community and cross boarder basis Greater value for identity, increase in positive relations, social inclusion and intercultural understanding. Decrease in cultural tension and increase in appreciation of cultures
Allocation of Resource Allocation to groups and communities to implement integration programmes locally.
Increase in trust, cooperation and partnership Capacity building and increase in the representation of local community groups 19
Support target groups and communities in administering and documentation needed
Increase in skills and capacity building of participants
Plan promotional programme for each local integration programmes – posters, leaflets etc developed and circulated to all on database
Effective communication and publicity High number of participation in the local activities Increase in intercultural awareness in the wider community
Establish links and work with media agencies in project activity dissemination
Public dissemination of positive contributions of project events towards a peaceful society Greater awareness of positive representation of diverse /minority groups Increase in understanding and skills of media representatives in the context of peace programmes, and promoting positive relations
Good Practise Visit
Increase in knowledge of local group representatives on successful delivery models of capacity building
Production of Project Documentary
Enhancing peaceful cohesive society between members of diverse community Qualitative documentation of project achievement Increase in intercultural education and awareness Enhanced relationship between local practice towards integration and policy advancement
Organisation of project Conference
Increase in participation and interest of agencies, government and other institutions in integration and social inclusion of ethnic minorities in co louth
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Sample Quote from Participants “After this project, I have seen people in my neighbourhood, talking and relating together in a more relax way, the tension has definitely reduced, even parents from other community now walk up freely to chat with me” “This project has help to create better understanding of diverse ethnic minorities in Toberona, we need more of this local”
“I have seen positive outcomes. The children are more inclusive in their language, teachers have more understanding of relating with other cultures, using the right language. Through the anti-prejudice education and drama, children understand what it means to be left out” “A great chance to see 21st century Ireland, post Celtic Tiger, and see the remnant that are remaining here, people from different cultures that are remaining here. They are going nowhere, they have children here that will remain, and they make Ireland now. I have been able to build confidence to approach and talk to people from other cultures “ “This event has add value to me. I had a lot to learn about people from other cultures, I worked with them in this project and I also got to show my dentity, who I am am, to other people, I felt accepted here”
“I was part of the exchange programme to Northern Ireland. I have learnt a lot accepting others, construction of Race and how to value others, no matter their religion and culture”
“Without this project we certainly wouldn’t have had the opportunity to relate with people from other cultures in Lois Dubh, to socialise and work amicably on a common goal” “As a parent I now have a better understanding of the Irish Traveller culture and understand the feeling of Racism and discrimination, and can always pass on that understanding to my children” “Through this project we were able to discover for the first time, that Carlingford and Cooley Peninsula has 25 different nationalities living among us. We have perceptions and stereotypes, but with this event it was great to have personal experience of what these new people truly are and have to offer” “This event was a great opportunity for us to relate and see other ethnic communities in this area. I didn’t have to go to Dublin City to see new communities, for the first time in Muirhevnamor, we had the opportunity to see what really Asians and Africans are like, which I must say is different from my believe” “The project created more intercultural awareness and access to service provision for new arriving immigrants in the county, especially students. In terms of building positive relations, I have become friends with other ethnic communities, unlike before” “For the first time, the Travellers were able to organise an activity for themseleves, that will be unusual, and that they advertised the programme and a lot of people came”
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Value for money and added value The deliverables implemented during the running of this project was cost effective in relation to the nature of the project due to the approach used by the project coordinator. Local people and small business were encouraged and assisted to provide services with value for money suitable to their own locality. However, the development of integration strategy in the County Louth will be fundamental to integration policy and practice locally. This will sustain the peacebuilding work in the context of socio-economic outcomes and intercultural relations and may provide alternative to financing some of the project outcomes.
Synergy with other work: The Integration of Target Communities (ITC) Project enhanced other peacebuilding programmes under the priority of: Consolidating Peace Building among our Young People Building the Capacity of Peace III Target Groups Celebrating the Diverse Community of Louth Facilitating Community Dialogue and Relationship Building The aims and achievement of the project complimented actions from other peace III projects. ITC project also worked in partnership with local organisations, sectors and local projects concerning ethnic minority groups, such as, Entrepreneurship programme and Capacity building of ethnic minorities. The project initiated contact with key local stakeholders, Politicians and the county council in relation to developing an integration strategy policy that prioritises the needs and full inclusion of ethnic minorities in County Louth.
Learning: Strengths, Weakness and Good Practise Development of Advisory Group for project monitoring and implementation. The developed capability of LMEC partners to work with stakeholders and agencies to identify and represent the needs of their communities, helped to inform policy and develop programmes to encourage equality mainstreaming (e.g anti-racism update report, Peace III programme) Consultation with local groups was effective towards their needs assessment 23
Due to inadequate skills in project and finance management of local community groups, creating a pro forma for procurement and claims is effective for project efficiency Developing partnerships and agreement with media agencies for efficient publicity and communication in line with peace III guidance and specifications to aid cost effectiveness and limit disparity of work carried out by different media agencies in the County Taking Volunteers to work as part of the project team aided project implementation since the project coordinator was employed on part-time Use of Participatory Learning in Action(PLA) was efficient in working with groups with varied levels of educational background and cultural background Providing a space that facilitate collective and co-ordinated approach, with value and coherence; including of ethnic led organisations and stakeholders – building capacity, have one voice and engage meaningfully - utilise the experience and networks of national and local organisations. Experience, track record and commitment of the members to connect and build trust with minority communities in the county have promoted recognition locally and nationally. The project continues to challenge racism and xenophobia in all its forms. The partnership approach of working together with stake holders helped to develop good positive relations that have reduced prejudice and discrimination and promoted equality of opportunities.
SUSTAINABILITY: The main aim of Integration of Target Communities Project is to develop local integration programmes that will foster a confident, inclusive and confident society in County Louth and boarder region, where fears and hurts have been reconciled and diverse cultures are appreciated. As a result of constant assessments, observations, reviews and evaluations while carrying out this project, it has been identified that there is an urgent need to continually explore certain initiatives that could be sustained beyond peace III. As part of the process of developing and delivering local integration workshops and events, LMEC has identified three major areas that could be sustained beyond peace III. These include: Continually building and developing the capacity and confidence of ethnic minority groups and traveller groups within host communities Constantly promoting a greater understanding and awareness of diverse cultures in County Louth Regularly developing strong partnerships between ethnic minority groups and local/regional government infrastructures 24
In order to ensure that the above mentioned initiatives are accomplished, LMEC believes that; Firstly, there is a pressing need to install renewable local integration initiatives that will focus on the use of shared space as a means of promoting diversity. Engaging in renewable tactics will enable participants mould initiatives that will address their present needs, while addressing their long term systemic issues which and their collective advancement. Develop a county wide integration strategy For example, in Drogheda, while conducting phases I and II of local integration events/ programmes, it was found that there is an urgent need for continuity of local integration workshops and events.
Secondly, it is essential to develop long-term sustainable initiative that will provide opportunities for cultures to engage in a developmental learning process. This will foster a greater understanding and awareness of diverse cultures in the local area. In Dundalk, for example, many local projects involve sharing cultural competences from diverse cultures. Consequently, it will be helpful to have on ground a developmental learning process that will educate the locals.
Thirdly, there is a crucial need to establish intermediary bodies between ethnic minority groups and local/regional government infrastructures. For example, supporting liaison between ethnic minority group representatives and institutions such as Garda Síochána, Libraries, and local resource centres, and so on.
RECOMMENDATION: The distinctiveness of diversity in itself poses a great challenge to integration. As part of the criteria for moving forward, we consider that sustainability efforts could be embedded into: Integrating sustainability goals through continuous media initiative campaign. For example the use of puppets for youth awareness programmes will depict a wide range of cultural events and symbols. Developing initiatives that will train local community members on issues on diversity and peace building, thus giving them tools to sustain them in the future. Local government could support cultural awareness by developing a county integration strategy and through initiatives that gain insight and share understanding on issues about immigrants and other cultural groups. Introducing a strategic plan that will promote peaceful and inclusive society A degree of review and flexibility to respond to particular and changed circumstances needs to be built into programmes developed by stakeholders and NGO’s to challenge tensions that seek to exploit fears, generalisations and myths about minority/migrant 25
communities. Service providers and local organisation should plan for such periods as they have the potential to undermine progress in other areas of our work.
Employing a participative bottom up approach that places an emphasis on empowering migrants and minorities to enjoy their rights and participate fully in all aspects of social, economic, cultural and political life.
Weather it is bringing together members of new communities and host communities to participate in joint programmes and activities or promoting certain initiatives, there is a huge need to adopt certain practical tools in order to achieve success. These include:
Organising specific base line assessments to find out the needs of people in a local area Using participatory learning action to engage ethnic minority groups and traveller groups to integrate into local community Developing cultural competence programme in order to build the confidence of ethnic minority groups, thus building the capacity of the local people Delivering education programme to increase learning, thus sustaining long term integration plans. The above mentioned points cannot be adequately utilised within a short time frame. It is doable within a process; therefore we can push the boundaries for PEACE IV. Elsewhere, the project coordinator and the members of Louth Minority Ethnic Consortium will continue to work in voluntarily capacity to provide support for community groups and build partnership to advance integration and recognition of minority groups within the work of the local and regional government.
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