Community organisations join forces to tackle poverty
1 July 2026
Local community and voluntary organisations from across Derry and Strabane came together this week to strengthen collaboration in addressing the ongoing challenges of poverty and the rising cost of living.
A special engagement event was held in St Columb’s Hall, offering an important platform for groups supporting individuals and families experiencing hardship, as well as organisations working alongside Derry City and Strabane District Council to deliver its Pathways out of Poverty Action Plan. The session focused on four key themes: Lobbying & Advocacy – Voice & Action; Access to Support – Navigating and Collaborating; Skills & Employment – Empowerment & Choice; and Supporting our Communities – Resilience & Partnership.
Facilitated by the North West Community Network and the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network, the event aimed to encourage stronger connections between organisations, promote knowledge sharing, and enhance collaborative working to better support those most in need across the Council area.
Speaking after the event, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, highlighted the importance of taking collective action to address the issue of poverty locally. “Across our Council area, we see every day the incredible work being delivered by community and voluntary organisations to support people facing real financial hardship. This event was an important opportunity to bring those groups together, to share experience, strengthen partnerships and identify practical ways we can work collectively to reduce poverty and improve outcomes for our communities.
“By working together, we can ensure that support is more accessible, more effective and reaches those who need it most.”
You can find out more about the Pathways out of Poverty action plan here - https://tinyurl.com/jjrjahwu