The project formerly known as Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnership rebrands

The Liffey Partnership is the new name for Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnership which was established in 1996 as a response to long term unemployment and poverty.

On April 29, then Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Daithí de Róiste, formally launched the new name as well as the strategic plan to guide the Partnership’s work until the end of 2028.

Board chairperson Jennifer Courtney gave a remarkable speech at the launch which packed out the Mansion House’s main room.

As someone who grew up in Ballyfermot and who has lived in Cherry Orchard since 2001, she has personally experienced the Partnership’s empowering support.

“My journey to becoming chairperson started with myself availing of a basic office and admin course through the partnership which reignited my desire for learning.”

With a grant and emotional support from key members of the Partnership and the wider community she continued her education.

“One thing I knew deep in my heart was that I wanted to contribute to my daughters dreaming big and believing that they can be anything or do anything they wanted to do. Their socio-economic profile should not define them nor me.

“I began working and volunteering in the local community and now I am CEO of Belvedere Youth Club in the North East Inner City of Dublin, an area quite similar to Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard,” she said.

When the partnership sought people to step forward for board roles she volunteered.

“I believe passionately in the work of the Partnership and how it keeps individuals and community groups at the heart of everything it does,” she said. Jennifer thanked staff and the families and community groups they work with.

Turning to Deirdre Kelly, Principal Officer of the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Social Inclusion and Communities Unit, she highlighted the Department’s role in supporting the partnership, in particular through the Social Inclusion Community Activation programme (SICAP):

“It is the key element that allows us to exist as an organisation and put our mission and values into programme actions.”
SICAP is the organisation’s “anchor programme” and “facilitates us to leverage about 20 other programmes for the community”.

She also thanked the Department for support through the Empowering Communities Programme and additional supports for the Cherry Orchard area.

“DRCD’s championing of community development values is key to what we do and long may your work continue,” she said.

She also thanked other funding departments and agencies, including the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the EU, Tusla, the HSE, Dublin City Council, the CDETB, and philanthropic grants.

The Partnership – like the other 48 local development companies around the country – hosts and supports a range of programmes dedicated to employment, education, community, enterprise, parenting, health and wellbeing.