Development Perspectives continues to build on its work in the area of social inclusion and
migration.
Momentum
Momentum is a project funded through the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s Communities Integration Fund. The aim of the project is to provide spaces for people from migrant backgrounds and members of their host communities to build relationships using physical activity and nature-based learning.
Freedom Football 2024
Sport is a powerful tool for bringing communities together. Watch this space for more exciting sport and outdoor activity based opportunities with DP. This project was made possible through support from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s International Protection Integration Fund 2023.
Bridges 2023
The Bridges project took place in 2023 and was designed to build capacity in Louth and Meath to use the rivers Boyne and Nanny as educational spaces to foster integration and inclusion. The Bridges projects included Kayaking skills training, swimming lessons, river clean-ups and more. The idea behind these events is to give migrants the opportunity to build social connections in their community and learn new skills.
With support from the International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF), DP successfully carried out a second edition of our Amplifying Voices project.
The aim of “Amplifying Voices” is to support migrant communities to effectively engage with cultural and educational activities focused on social integration and inclusion promoting a long-term positive impact on migrant wellbeing. It does this through the development of a podcasting and storytelling course, and the subsequent completion of a podcast series and photography exhibition.
Our course included six workshops over the month of June and July. Participants then were provided with an opportunity to share their own stories through photo collages and/or podcasts. In September, the project culminated with a showcase event in Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda. The event was attending by a diverse group of people included community volunteers, asylum seekers, local political representatives and our special guests, Bulelani Mfaco and Razan Ibraheem. In total, approximately 50 people were in attendance on the night. The photo collages and podcasts are available on our website.
As a result of the success of this project, we have successfully received funding once again through the IPIF to roll out a project known as ‘Freedom Football’. The objective of this project is to work with local male asylum seekers based in Louth and Meath using soccer as a means to explore inclusion and develop competencies related to communication, leadership and team work.
Throughout 2023, we carried out a series of events and opportunities designed to foster inclusion by using the rivers Boyne and Nanny. This work included litter clean-ups, kayak excursion, swimming lessons and kayak skills training with our friends in Canoeing Ireland. The project, known as ‘Bridges’ was also turned into a short documentary that is available on our website. This project was funded through the LMETB and the 2022 Reach Fund.
Finally, in 2023, DP continued to facilitate of the Louth and Meath County Council Joint Migrant Integration forum. The forum completed its final session in late 2023.