Current projects

We work on a range of projects to help promote good relations in Belfast and create a safer and more welcoming environment for all to enjoy.

Mural in Glenbryn area of BelfastRe-imaging Communities Project

The Re-Imaging Communities Project (established by the Shared Communities Consortium) aims to transform communities by improving their environment and reflect the positive changes in Belfast.

Sectarian murals, emblems, flags and graffiti have been replaced with positive images which reflect the community’s culture, as well as highlight and promote the social regeneration taking place in communities today.

Background information

This project was approved after we successfully applied to the Arts Council for Northern Ireland (ACNI) for £24,000 of funding.

Project research was carried out and we then submitted a further successful application to ACNI for £232,000 of funding. The funding enabled us to work with communities and replace offensive murals with high quality public art.

For more information on this project, visit our Re-imaging Communities section


Unite Against Hate logoTackling Hate Crime

We have teamed up with Belfast Community Safety Partnership (BCSP) to deliver a programme of work to tackle hate crime, which deals with crimes committed under the following categories:

What does the project involve?

Our city-wide training programme aims to create acceptance and appreciation of different cultures and traditions. We also have a ‘train the trainer’ programme which enables those already trained to train others in issues around hate crime.

A Hate Crime Officer was appointed in 2009, and we’re working with local media to raise awareness of issues around hate crime. We also work with statutory and community organisations to establish a tension monitoring process. This process helps to minimise the risk of trouble caused by community tension.

We also help to organise the Unite Against Hate Crime conference, an annual event which brings together statutory and voluntary agencies to look at the causes of hate crime.

For more information about the Unite Against Hate Crime conference, and what we’re doing to tackle hate crime, visit our community safety section


St Patrick's Day community events

St Patrick's Day performer Our St Patrick’s Day grants scheme began in 2004. Since then, we have supported more than 364 projects, totalling almost £155,000.

Applications for this grant scheme usually open in October, with decisions on grant aid being made in December.

What makes a successful project?

All of our best projects have aimed to promote good relations between people of different religious and political beliefs, and different racial groups.

There are many ways that projects can help us achieve our good relations objectives, including:

Contact us

Good Relations Unit
Chief Executive's Department
Belfast City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS

Telephone: 028 9027 0663
Email: goodrelations@belfastcity.gov.uk