A wide range of civic society organisations have come together to roll out a new participatory initiative to facilitate communities in identifying and asserting priorities, as well as to put forward solutions.

The Civic Initiative will create the space for individuals and organisations to examine key challenges and make proposals on policy positions that advance peace, reconciliation, and wellbeing in Northern Ireland.

Emma DeSouza, who lives in Fermanagh, is co-facilitator and co-chair of the Civic Initiative.

She said: “In this climate of political instability and socioeconomic challenges, there is a clear need for civic society to once again step to the fore.

“Peace has not been felt evenly across Northern Ireland, with many areas remaining disadvantaged and marginalised.

"The 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement presents us with an opportunity to critically analyse and support the advancement of peace, reconciliation, and wellbeing, by ensuring the agency and ownership of local people and communities on proposals for progressive social change.

"Communities across Northern Ireland have never lacked ideas, but we are concerned at the lack of structure and framework necessary to harness those ideas – the Civic Initiative aims to provide such a structure,” she added.

Róisín Wood, independent Chair of the Civic Initiative Oversight Committee, and Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, said: "I am delighted to be part of this participatory, civic space.

"Many within civic society have had an active role in bringing about positive change for our communities.

"The need for this role has not diminished – if anything, it has grown with the current political impasse, the cost-of-living crisis, the challenges to basic human rights, and over a decade of austerity-led policies from Westminster, hollowing out key public services for our communities.

"It was people and communities who made the past changes real and tangible, and it is once again people and communities who will be the leaders of change as we move forward."

The Civic Initiative will have a specific focus on the principles and commitments outlined in the Declaration of Support and Sections of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, covering rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity.

There will be a focus on local, community-based participation, as well as wider citizen engagement.