New project launched in Old Warren

The Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland, launched the new pilot social economy enterprise project at the Resurgam Trust.

The department has awarded £415,000 to this project up to March 2015 to enable the Trust to engage in community regeneration through the social economy business model. Resurgam will be establishing up to four new social economy businesses in the Lisburn area, creating local employment opportunities and contributing to the overall regeneration of the city.

Minister McCausland said: “I am delighted to launch this exciting new social economy growth project in Lisburn. My Department has a key Programme for Government commitment to support social economy growth within the wider voluntary and community sector and this project can make an important contribution to meeting this commitment.

“I know that the Resurgam Trust is committed to working in partnership with a range of public and community sector agencies to tackle disadvantage and promote regeneration.

“This project can deliver real change and contribute to social, economic and community regeneration throughout the Lisburn area. New businesses will be created, job opportunities provided and I would wish to see other communities benefit from the best practice being established through the Resurgam Trust model.”

Philip Dean, Chair of Resurgam Trust commented: “The funding received by The Resurgam Community Development Trust for this Social Enterprise Pilot Project by the Department for Social Development has allowed us the time and space to create real employment and sustainable social enterprises.

“We at Resurgam are committed to creating the environments where the building of community capacity works hand in hand with job creation in a community seeking a hand up, not a hand out.

“This resource has given us the capability to instil confidence in other service and funding providers to support programmes that deal with social and economic hardship. Training and employment opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds are at the very heart of our ethos.”