EastSide Partnership, the regeneration charity which aims to improve the lives of people across east Belfast through the delivery of social, economic, environmental and cultural projects,has unveiled its strategic framework for working 2025 – 2030. The five-year strategy focuses on the role that EastSide Partnership will play in supporting and developing a thriving, connected and welcoming east Belfast by placing local people and partnerships at its core to progress and transform the area.
Since 1995, EastSide Partnership has led on the delivery of a range of innovative regeneration projects. These include the development of neighbourhood plans such as Holywood Arches strategy and the current work on ‘Your Vision for the Newtownards Road 2030’. Physical development projects such as Connswater Community Greenway including C.S. Lewis Square, EastSide Visitor Centre, Bridges Surgery, Enler Centre – to name but a few – have helped transform and improve the natural and built environment of the local area. Animation and events such as the annual EastSide Arts Festival, C.S. Lewis Festival and all year-round programming at Templemore Baths, Connswater Community Greenway and venues across east Belfast, provide local people and visitors alike to come together and celebrate the creativity and heritage of east Belfast. Improving educational outcomes for children and young people in a partnership approach with local schools which helps improve life chances and opportunities.
Work has already started with EastSide Partnership engaged in a range of emerging projects. These include an extension to EastSide Visitor Centre and a tourism accommodation project at C.S. Lewis Square with support from the Belfast City Council Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund. EastSide Greenways continues to champion green spaces, advocating for a wider extension of Greenway development across east Belfast and the role they play in helping to create a climate resilient east Belfast. Plus a range of collaborations and research projects exploring reducing educational disadvantage and identifying the barriers to participation in arts and creative activities in the area.
Through the strategic framework 2025 – 2030, EastSide Partnership will continue to champion east Belfast and build on success through a strong committed staff, volunteer team and board of directors. Their ongoing partnership work will be core to moving forward in working alongside local communities, government and local authorities, private sector business and elected members. This will also be key to tackling tough issues such as poverty and deprivation, improving the environment, ensuring local people have access to opportunities and pursuing opportunities to lobby for greater local investment.