Supporting strong, connected and sustainable rural communities across Derg, Faughan and Sperrin District Electoral Areas (DEA’s)
Derry City and Strabane District Council is committed to supporting rural communities and helping local people, volunteers, community and voluntary sector groups and organisations to play an active role in improving the places where they live. Communities can access practical support to build the capacity of local organisations, strengthen participation, identify local priorities and develop responses to issues affecting rural areas.
Through support from Council, rural communities are supported with enhanced Rural Community Development services additional to the services available from the Community Development Section. This service is provided by RAPID Ltd and is funded until 31st March 2027 to cover the rural District Electoral Areas (DEA’s) of Derg, Faughan and Sperrin, with two full time equivalent staff to support the rural areas of Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Support for Rural Communities
The service is designed to provide accessible community development support for rural communities across the Council area. Support may include:
- Community development advice and support to help local groups identify priorities, develop activities and respond to emerging community needs.
- Capacity building to strengthen the skills, knowledge and confidence of volunteers, committee members and community organisations.
- Good governance support to help community groups strengthen their structures, policies, planning and organisational practices.
- Funding and project development support, including helping organisations identify relevant funding opportunities and strengthen project ideas.
- Community engagement and participation, encouraging local residents and groups to become involved in decisions and initiatives affecting their communities.
- Networking and partnership working, helping rural organisations make connections, share learning and work collaboratively with Council and other agencies.
- Information and signposting, connecting groups and residents with relevant Council services, programmes and external sources of assistance.
- Support to identify local needs and priorities, helping ensure rural perspectives and community experience inform local planning and the development of appropriate responses.
- Support the Local Growth Partnership Boards across rural areas of Derg, Faughan and Sperrin with secretariat support and co-ordination
- Engage with the Council’s Rural Issues Group, providing quarterly updates and ensuring communication between the Local Growth Partnership Boards and the Rural Issues Group to champion and progress issues identified which pertain to the social, economic and environmental needs of people in rural areas.
- Consensual Funding support the development and delivery of the consensual grant aid model of funding allocation in the rural DEA’s and will take role of lead partner in rural communities.
Building Community Capacity
A key focus of the service is enabling rural organisations to become stronger, more confident and sustainable.
Community groups can receive practical assistance to develop their organisational capacity, improve planning and governance, attract resources and increase participation. This helps communities build on their existing strengths and develop locally led responses to the opportunities and challenges they face.
Working in Partnership
Effective rural community development relies on communities, statutory agencies and other partners working together. The service supports greater collaboration between rural organisations and partners, helping communities to make connections, share information and contribute to wider community planning and development activity.
Supporting Positive Outcomes for Rural Areas
Through this support, Council aims to contribute to:
- stronger and more sustainable community organisations;
- increased community participation and volunteering;
- improved access to information, advice and opportunities;
- stronger connections between communities, Council and partner organisations;
- greater collaboration and sharing of good practice;
- improved ability within communities to respond to local needs; and
- inclusive rural communities where people are supported to participate in community life.
Have you an idea or need some support?
If you are involved in a rural community or voluntary sector organisation, are developing a new community initiative or would like advice on support available in your rural area of Derg, Faughan and Sperrin, please contact RAPID by contacting Philip O’Kane on 07821 646556 or by e-mail to [email protected]
Alternatively to contact the Community Development team, please contact 028 7125 3253 or email Community Services team on [email protected]