Belfast Interface Project

Who we are

Rooted in communities.
Working across divides.

Belfast Interface Project brings people and organisations together around the challenges and possibilities of Belfast’s interface areas.

Our purpose

A Belfast shaped by connection and shared possibility.

BIP is a membership organisation supporting creative approaches to the regeneration of Belfast’s interface areas.

Its vision is for communities to live free from intimidation and violence, reckon with the legacies of the past, move freely through the city, enjoy vibrant neighbourhoods, and respect cultural difference and diversity.

01 / Relationships

Support positive relationships within and between interface communities.

02 / Safety

Work with agencies and residents on safety in interface areas.

03 / Change

Influence policy and advocate for more effective approaches.

04 / Accountability

Keep membership representative and the organisation responsibly governed.

Values in practice

Mutual understanding · new knowledge · respect and tolerance · shared ownership · creativity · equality and accountability · self-help and mutual support

Since 1995

Three decades of listening, organising and building trust.

BIP was established to identify the concerns of Belfast’s interface communities and work with communities, public bodies and voluntary organisations on ways forward.

A project begins

BIP starts gathering community perspectives, informing policy debates and helping local groups address relations across interfaces.

Accountable to its members

It becomes a charitable, democratically accountable membership organisation drawn from interface communities.

Sharing practice

Communications and membership support expands, including the Interface news-sheet, peer learning and networking.

Conflict transformation

New support develops training, facilitation and pathways for work on the legacies of the past.

A lasting structure

BIP becomes a company limited by guarantee while retaining charitable status and membership accountability.

Knowledge and shared space

The organisation continues community development, cross-community and cross-border collaboration, and research on interface barriers, safety and shared space.

“The future of Belfast’s interface areas begins with the people who live there.”

Our membership

A network grounded in Belfast’s neighbourhoods.

BIP’s community groups bring local knowledge and lived experience into its work. Together with associate organisations and individual members, they form a network spanning Belfast’s interface areas.

Community group membersView organisations
  • 174 Trust
  • Ainsworth Community Residents Association
  • Amber Community Development Agency
  • Ardoyne Association
  • Ballynafeigh Community Development Association
  • Benmore Community Development Association
  • Bridge Community Association
  • Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum
  • Clonard Monastery Youth Centre
  • Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne
  • Crown Project
  • Denmark Street Community Centre
  • Donegall Pass Community Forum
  • East Belfast Community Development Agency
  • East Belfast Mission
  • Families Beyond Conflict
  • Families of Displaced, Dispersed and Distressed
  • Forthspring Inter Community Group
  • Indian Community Centre
  • Intercomm
  • Interface Residents Group
  • Lenadoon Community Forum
  • Ligoniel Improvement Association
  • LINC
  • Lower Duncairn Community Forum
  • Lower North Belfast Community Council
  • Lower Oldpark Community Association
  • Lower Shankill Community Association
  • Lower Woodstock Community Association
  • Markets Development Association
  • Mid-Skegoneill Community Group
  • North Belfast Women’s Initiative and Support Project
  • Parkside Community Association
  • Roden Street Community Development Group
  • Sandy Row Community Forum
  • Shankill Stress and Trauma Group
  • Short Strand Community Forum
  • Short Strand Partnership
  • Small Steps Adult Education Group
  • Star Neighbourhood Centre
  • Stewartstown Road Regeneration Project
  • Suffolk Community Centre
  • Suffolk Community Forum
  • Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group
  • The YEHA Project
  • Twaddell / Woodvale Residents Association
  • Voice Reconciliation Project
  • Wheatfield Action Plan
  • Whitecity Community Development Association
  • Windsor Women’s Centre
Associate membersView organisations
  • Advice NI
  • Belfast Activity Centre
  • Belfast Education and Library Board
  • Belfast Regeneration Office (North)
  • Challenge For Youth
  • Clonard Monastery
  • Community Dialogue
  • Corrymeela Community
  • Cromac Regeneration Initiative
  • Dee Street Community Centre
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Institute for Conflict Research
  • Links (Lurgan)
  • North Belfast Community Action Unit
  • Partisan Productions
  • The Pathways Project
  • Save the Children
  • Ulster People’s College
  • WEA
Individual membersView names
  • William Boyd
  • Mandy Cochrane
  • Paul Donnelly
  • Robert Ellison
  • Joe Hinds
  • Peter Lavery
  • Deirdre MacBride
  • Ciaran Mackel
  • Dennis J Mann
  • Bill Meulemans
  • Gerry Skelton
  • Frank Tipping
  • Paul Gallagher
  • Gerry McClory

The people behind the work

Community practice and accountable leadership.

Staff

Practice Coordinator

Paul Smith

With a background in youth and community development, Paul brings interpersonal, organisational and strategic experience to BIP’s community work.

Finance & Office Manager

Liam Dunlop

With BIP since 2013, Liam supports the financial systems and day-to-day management that underpin its work.

Project Development Officer

Mark Arthur

Mark’s community youth work experience centres on programme delivery and meaningful engagement with young people and communities.

Board of Directors

Bill Shaw174 Trust
Maria MorganLigoniel Improvement Association
Aisling CartmillIndian Community Centre
Bernie McConnellShort Strand Community Forum
Gerry SkeltonTreadagh House
Gerard O’ReillySuffolk Lenadoon Interface Group
Gerry McCloryCromac Regeneration Initiative
Mark ArthurSocial Work Action Network
Sam WhiteIntercomm
Ed PetersonClonard Monastery
Ashok SharmaAffiliation not listed
Muriel BowyerSmall Steps Adult Education Group
Paddy O’DonnellCharter NI

Support for the work

Made possible through partnership.

BIP’s work has drawn support from public bodies, charitable foundations and international programmes.

  • Community Relations Council
  • Belfast City Council
  • European Union PEACE III Programme, managed for SEUPB by the CRC/Pobal Consortium
  • Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
  • Department of Foreign Affairs
  • Northern Ireland Housing Executive
  • Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland