About us

InterAction Belfast has been in operation for 26 years. Originally formed in 1988 as the Springfield Inter-community Development Project, it was set up to tackle the then ignored issues of Interface communities, who have been the coalface of the Conflict in the North of Ireland. The people who live in these communities have suffered disproportionately over the period of the conflict and are amongst the most marginalized and socially excluded communities in our society. Interface work has developed organically, and in the past has been about containing or preventing violence on interfaces whilst endeavoring to build relationships across interfaces. Successes in this area have contributed significantly to the peace process. In recent years the nature of our work has changed, adapting to the evolving needs of interface communities. One of the most complex issues is the reality of segregation and the question of how to create conditions where interface communities can reconcile and envisage a future where walls are not needed. Through regular consultation with those who live, work and survive in the shadow of the walls, InterAction has identified these key concerns: the lack of social and economic infrastructures in interface communities, the prevalence of sectarianism, the potential for violence emanating from dissident Republican groups, and the need to document the models of work we have developed over the 26 years. Our current focus is on enabling communities, statutory agencies and policy makers to work together to formulate strategic and long-term action to address the poverty, social exclusion and deprivation, which very often underlie community tensions.