Community Environment Support Programme

The Community Environment Support Programme (CESP) is designed to engage with ten target geographical communities in North Belfast to produce environmental improvement plans and offer seed project funding to initiate implementation.

As a direct response to a limited level of interest in a previous open call for community applications for environmental projects, the Urban II secretariat designed a strategic programme to address the limited interest in, or capacity for, environmental improvements within the North Belfast target area. The CESP is designed to offer community access within a strategic programmatic approach which takes on board the need for environmental planning and offers support to address access and capacity issues in both project design and implementation.

The CESP consists of three principle elements:

• Strand One - Consultation and Targeting

Groundwork NI as, the appointed body, have carried out an environmental review of inner North Belfast and have identified 10 key target areas. These areas are:

• Strand Two - Project Development, Application & Implementation

Groundwork NI are working closely with the appropriate community groups and other key stakeholders in the target areas to encourage and facilitate the development of local environmental planning to generate potential small-scale community projects. They are supporting groups to prepare and submit applications and, where successful at obtaining Urban II funds, will go on to oversee delivery and implementation of successful projects.

This stage includes the provision of training through one to one group support and generic sessions.

To date, nine projects have been awarded Urban II funds:

• The development of a kick-about pitch on an area of wasted space at Cliftonville community Centre.
• The development of a landscaped 'Green' with paths and artwork on an area of wasteground and former bonfire site within the Shore Crescent estate.
• The regeneration of an area of overgrown woodland to the rear of the Skegoneill Avenue flats, to enhance the appearance of the area and help tackle anti-social behaviour issues.
• The development of a landscaped area, with artwork, decorative signage, planting and pathways at the Alliance Crescent entrance to Glenbryn.

For further information on each project, please click on the table above. Please note that the sketch proposals are subject to changes as consulation and detailed design work progresses and costings are completed.

• Strand Three - Sustainability

An accredited environmental training package on a networked basis will be made available and at least one representative from each of the ten districts will be invited to participate. This will increase awareness and provide necessary knowledge and expertise to maintain the project after practical completion.

Each project proposal will contain an exit strategy for the Programme.

For more information contact Tracey McCullough or Ciarán Shannon on 028 9075 2990 or Richard Rodgers at Groundwork NI on 028 90749494