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Belfast Interface Project 25th Anniversary & AGM

On 12 December 2025, Belfast Interface Project (BIP) marked a significant milestone by bringing together our 25th Anniversary celebrations and Annual General Meeting into one shared event. The day provided an opportunity to reflect on our journey, celebrate our impact, and look ahead to the future of interface work in Belfast and beyond.

The event featured contributions from several key voices within and alongside the organisation. Chair, Maria Morgan, launched our 2026-28 Strategic and Operational Plan, while reflecting on the importance of BIP’s role and the meaningful difference it has made within interface areas over the past 25 years. Our Treasurer, Murial Bowyer, highlighted the various financial challenges facing BIP, and, despite these, the organisation still manages to survive (and praised our various funders accordingly). Paul Smith (Coordinator) spoke about the future direction of BIP, highlighting our ongoing impact in communities and the need to expand into areas such as research to strengthen and inform our work. Finally, we were delighted to hear from partner, Professor Peter Bloom (Essex University), who spoke about the Shared Futures Platform, outlining the years of work behind its development and the positive impact it will have for interface communities; particularly for local stakeholders such as community and youth centres.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Duncan Morrow (Ulster University), who spoke powerfully about the importance of the work BIP has and continues to do, why it remains vital, and the positive impact its ongoing legacy has, within interface communities across the city. BIP also wishes to acknowledge the hospitality of Ulster University in hosting our anniversary and AGM event; and kindly providing refreshments for attendees.

The event was a very successful day, facilitated by Gerry Skelton MBE, and filled with important discussions, reflections, and shared learning; conversations that we hope will continue and be turned into positive action for interface communities across Belfast and NI.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who worked so hard to organise the event, including the speakers for their thoughtful contributions, staff for their hard work behind the scenes, board members, who supported the planning and successful delivery of the day, and all those who attended and helped make the day such a meaningful celebration of BIP’s work: past, present, and future.

Times Journalist Visits Belfast Interface Project

We were delighted to welcome renowned Times journalist and former Foreign Editor Martin Fletcher to Belfast Interface Project last week. Martin was accompanied by Cathal McNaughton, a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, who documented the visit.Martin visited BIP as part of his ongoing work exploring the challenges facing interface communities and the complex process surrounding the removal of the remaining peace walls across the city.

During his visit, Paul Smith and Mark Arthur met with him to discuss the realities of working in interface areas today. We spoke about community safety, engagement, regeneration, and the ongoing need for trust building and long term support in communities most affected by division.

The visit concluded with a detailed tour of several peace walls, where we walked Martin through the history, context, and lived experience surrounding these structures. This gave him a firsthand look at the physical and social barriers that still shape daily life in many parts of Belfast, and the vital role BIP continues to play in supporting positive change.

We look forward to reading his upcoming coverage, which will shine a wider light on the ongoing need for investment, collaboration, and sustained progress toward a safer, more connected, and shared Belfast.

Belfast Interface Project 13th Annual General Meeting

Belfast Interface Project held our Thirteenth Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 21^st of February 2014. We had the great pleasure of hosting Prof. Brandon Hamber, our keynote speaker.

Prof. Hamber reflected on aspects of multiculturalism/ interculturalism, community security paradox and interdependence. All these aspects were very important to think over, in terms of community engagement.

The Annual Report was presented as well as the Treasurer’s Report, which was unanimously approved.

The BIP membership and its types were outlined (community groups, associates and individual members) and the election of Board Directors took place. The process for electing and re-electing was successfully completed.

'Exchanging Perceptions' 2nd Exhibition and Launch of the Book

The launch of the 'Exchanging Perceptions' publication and the photography project exhibition took place on the 20^th of February in the Red Barn gallery. Councillor Maire Hendron, chair of Belfast City Council Good Relations Partnership, gave a brief welcoming address, in which she outlined the objectives and the expected outcomes of the project.

The Exchanging Perceptions exhibition was held in the gallery from February 20^th to March 1^st. This second showing of the exhibition was prepared with new elements, including interview material with participants.

In addition to this, the 'Exchanging Perceptions' project publication, outlined above, was disseminated during the exhibition.

Young People Leading the Way Project Launch

Belfast Interface Project and Different Tracks Global are delighted to announce a successful bid for funding through OFMDFM’s 2013-14 Central Good Relations Fund. The project is called, ‘Young People Leading The Way’ and aims to contribute to efforts to reduce tension in the Interface areas around Inner East Belfast by building capacity for young people to move towards taking a peer leadership role in helping build a united communities strategy.

The 18-25yr old unemployed participants from East Belfast will gain a variety of skills, qualifications and experience in Leadership, Youthwork, Good Relations, Urban Adventure, & Heritage. Gaining competency in activities such as Sailing, Wakeboarding, Skateboarding, BMX & Free Running. The participants will also be supported to design and deliver urban adventure programmes in the excellent facilities within Titanic Quarter to engage 14-16yr olds from across the interfaces to experience the exciting resources they have on their doorstep. Joe O’Donnell Director of Belfast Interface Project stated, ’We are delighted to be the lead partner in this exciting opportunity for young people to be part of a really positive and potentially life changing experience.’

This project will also provide progression routes for participants following the Programme including volunteering and further training opportunities locally and abroad. Ben Craig from Different Tracks Global said, ‘I am really excited about this project, I think engaging in Urban Adventure will help participants become empowered as leaders, experience positive challenge and see the city from a new perspective which will have a great impact in the local community and strengthen links across Inner East Belfast between young people, youth agencies and service providers.’ A wide range of agencies are involved in this collaborative pilot including, T13, Cable & Wake, Ocean Youth Trust Ireland, Youth Link NI and Heritage experts from Titanic Quarter.

Belfast Interface Project

News

Belfast Interface Project 25th Anniversary & AGM

Times Journalist Visits Belfast Interface Project

Belfast Interface Project 13th Annual General Meeting

'Exchanging Perceptions' 2nd Exhibition and Launch of the Book

Young People Leading the Way Project Launch

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