Strategic Aims
“Be the change you want in the world” (Gandhi)
I am delighted to present this strategy to you. It is the result of much internal reflection and analysis and scrutiny of the external context within which we must operate. Extensive consultation with key agencies was undertaken in order to inform and refine the strategy and ensure its strategic fit and appropriateness. The feedback was invaluable and the Trustees and Staff are indebted to the individuals and agencies for their involvement and expert input.
Sustainability & The Future
Whilst much good has been achieved and delivered over the past period by the Trust, some key challenges must be addressed if we are to consolidate, sustain and build on the work. These are:
1. Sustaining our core which enables us to innovate and to continue to deliver our programmes and activities on the ground in support of citizenship and peace-building;
2. Continuing to contribute to the sustainability of grass-roots community, voluntary, charitable and peace building organisations who endeavour to effect positive change throughout the County.
Our Strategy
Fermanagh’s Community Foundation & Grant-making
We are committed to the successful establishment of a community foundation. The Fermanagh Community Foundation Endowment Fund will be a vehicle for co-ordinating and matching donor interests and concerns from all sectors and spheres with local charitable, voluntary and community interests, actions and initiatives. It will comprise a portfolio of funds that will facilitate ongoing financial and developmental support for active citizenship and peace building in the County.
Social Enterprises
The Trust has identified a number of significant social enterprise initiatives that will generate sufficient revenue to enable the Trust’s core base over the coming period to move toward a more sustainable and independent footing. Further, this strategic social economy focus will also contribute to building the endowment capital base.
Citizenship, Regeneration & Peace-building
There remains a tremendous need and opportunity within our community to realise the latent potential of active citizenship in bringing about positive change in the quality of life, inclusion and peace at local level. Equity, Diversity and Interdependence will inform our approach. We will support and work with groups on the ground through an innovative and practical suite of community, voluntary, social economy and peace building interventions aimed at taking groups from ‘where they are, to where they want to be’.
Our strategy is breaking new ground. We are the first county-wide community foundation in Ireland, North or South. Our three strategic priorities are inextricably linked. They support our vision of a diverse, strong and sustainable charitable, community and voluntary sector, epitomised by positive citizenship which makes a real difference to the quality of community life and peace in the County. We cannot achieve this on our own. We invite you to plough this new exciting and challenging ground with us.
Joanna McVey
Trust Chairperson
