They have labored intently with interface communities to debate the elimination of peace partitions of their space
(L-R): Rab McCallum from TASCIT; Angila Chada IFI Board Member; and Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Paul Doherty(Image: Matt Mackey)
A neighborhood project in North Belfast has been counseled for its efforts in breaking down bodily in psychological barriers in interface areas that suffered a few of the worst violence throughout the Troubles.
TASCIT (Twaddell Ardoyne Shankill Communities in Transition) is a cross-community partnership that has been placing residents at the center of its work for 13 years, encouraging dialogue and enhancing neighborhood relations round a few of the most contentious points and interface websites that stay in Belfast.
Supported by the International Fund for Ireland’s (IFI) Peace Barriers Programme, the project has labored intently with residents from each side of the neighborhood to debate the potential elimination of Peace Walls of their space.
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Interface communities stay a few of the most divided in Northern Ireland and face a spread of socio-economic points, in addition to ongoing challenges round anti-social behaviour, parades and sectarianism.
Despite this, the project has turn out to be a cornerstone of stability for native residents. It has been a driving power behind the historic removal of the Flax Street barrier, which divided communities for 40 years, and the next creation of Hillview Retail Park, now dwelling to main manufacturers like Lidl and Starbucks.
Local resident, Mary, stated she was nervous about getting concerned with the project initially, however that it helped her realise the similarities between communities throughout the interface.
She stated: “I live a few hundred yards from the interface and in all my life, I’m fifty five, I had had no contact with the people on the other side of the road. So I was quite apprehensive about joining up for such a course but it was amazing to sit in the room with some of those people, for us to talk about our lives and our views.
“One of the classes was of their local people centre, 5 – 6 minutes from my home however in an space I hadn’t visited for about fifty years. What I actually discovered was that we’re all so alike, we’re all coping with the identical points, the identical issues, but in addition seeing a greater future for our children and grandchildren.”
Sean Oliver, TASCIT workers member stated: “It has been a really rewarding 13 years for these of us concerned within the project. We would see ourselves as a catalyst, appearing as a channel for native residents to debate the way forward for the “peacewalls” of their space and likewise creating alternatives for folks from both aspect of the interface to come back collectively and focus on the contentious points, to listen to others perspective and to have respectful however trustworthy conversations.”
Commenting on the success of TASCIT, Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Paul Doherty, stated: “Building trust within both communities has been instrumental in TASCIT’s approach to get agreement around barrier removal. Alongside regular consultations, they delivered a series of engaging, family-friendly events and the successful ‘Challenging Conversations’ course.
“This initiative encouraged local residents from both nationalist and unionist backgrounds to explore sensitive issues such as the legacy of the Troubles, cultural heritage, identity, and flags.”
IFI Board Member, Angila Chada, said: “The Peace Barriers Programme has been transformative for interface communities, reducing division and creating the conditions for opportunity and regeneration. In the last year, over 23,000 residents have taken part in events organised by projects, and we’ve invested around £4m in the programme since 2021.
“Supporting and empowering communities to work together is key to improving and enhancing community relations. Projects like TASCIT are critical to ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts. Through their determination, they have transformed North Belfast, creating a new sense of community and spaces that are now viewed as shared and for everyone.”
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