A new initiative to strengthen local communities through volunteering has been officially unveiled with the announcement of the Investing in Community Volunteers (ICV) Programme, a comprehensive training and development opportunity for volunteers, committee members and staff working across the community and voluntary sector in Fermanagh and Omagh.
The ‘Investing in Community Volunteers’ Programme is one of 13 programmes as detailed in the Fermanagh and Omagh PEACEPLUS Local Action Plan, a project supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Running from January 2026 to September 2027, the programme aims to foster cohesive and peaceful communities through a strong and sustainable volunteering infrastructure.
Investing in Community Volunteers Programme partners (Back L-R) Martin Cassidy Omagh Volunteer Centre, Jane Gribbin Volunteer Now, Lee Hamilton Youth Action, Sonya Johnston Fermanagh Trust. (Front L-R) Samantha Gallagher Rural Community Network, Mary T Conway Omagh Forum for Rural Associations, June Clarke Fermanagh Trust.
It will be delivered across the seven District Electoral Areas of Erne North, Erne West, Erne East, Enniskillen, Mid Tyrone, West Tyrone and Omagh, ensuring both rural and urban communities can access opportunities to build skills, confidence and capacity.
The ICV Programme offers a wide range of free, accessible training and development opportunities, including workshops on forming and strengthening committees, safeguarding, facilities and venue management, income generation and funding applications, AI tools, succession planning and delivering services in diverse and multicultural environments.
Participants will also have access to accredited and non-accredited learning, including OCN Community Development qualifications, Charity Commission governance training and a locally delivered Galway University Diploma in Community Development, providing a progression pathway for volunteers wishing to deepen their knowledge and leadership capability.
Complementing in-person learning, the programme also includes access to over 250 free online courses, available on demand and in more than 40 languages, supporting individuals of all learning styles and abilities
Volunteering will be promoted across generations through family volunteering initiatives, school engagement, volunteer fairs and recognition events to celebrate the contribution of volunteers and encourage others to get involved, helping to build a safer, more connected and more inclusive society.
The programme is delivered in partnership with Fermanagh Trust, Youth Action NI, Rural Community Network, Omagh Forum for Rural Associations, Omagh Volunteer Centre and Volunteer Now, bringing together extensive local and regional expertise to ensure that training is relevant, high quality and tailored to community needs.
Sonya Johnston, Deputy Director of Fermanagh Trust, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers and community organisations across Fermanagh and Omagh. The programme is designed to build confidence, develop practical skills and support people at every stage of their volunteering journey. Thanks to PEACEPLUS funding administered by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, we are able to offer this level of support free of charge, helping to strengthen good relations, resilience and inclusion in communities right across the district.”
For information on registering for courses starting in January, visit CLICK HERE or email sonya@fermanaghtrust.org.