What is it?

Capacity Building is development work that strengthens the ability of community organisations and groups to build their structures, systems, people and skills so that they are better able to define and achieve their objectives manage projects and engage in consultation and planning.

It builds and improves upon existing skills within a community and seeks to increase an organisation's capacity to deliver its existing services and acquire the resources necessary to continue to serve its community.

back to the top

Why do we need Capacity Building?

Background

Black & Ethnic Minority groups face multiple disadvantage and discrimination.

Voluntary organisations within the black & ethnic minority communities are often the only source of support and understanding and provide extremely useful services to such communities

These organisations constantly suffer from lack of resources and appropriate support which directly effects the delivery of services to their communities

Black & Ethnic Minority groups therefore often remain unable to participate in or influence decisions directly affecting them

NICEM's Capacity Building Project aims to support ethnic minority organisations in order to improve and enhance the services which they deliver to their communities, by building on the existing skills within organisations, advising community groups and providing training which will positively develop their existing services.

back to the top

What can the Capacity Building Project offer to ethnic minority groups in Northern Ireland?

Capacity Building includes the provision of advice, information, education and the facilitation of training, fund-raising, and continuing community development support.

Training can include

• Duties and responsibilities of Management Committees
• Recruitment procedures and staff structures
• NVQ Accredited Community Work training
• Leadership training
• Financial management
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Fund-raising
• Communication skills
• Personal Development
• Training for community interpreters (OCN Level 3)

Advice and assistance can also be provided for the following

• Starting up a group, including assistance with constitutional issues and fund-raising
• Becoming a registered charity
• Advice on project management and event management
• Developing programmes of activities and networking with other groups undertaking similar programmes
• Developing administrative systems for small organisations

back to the top