TASCIT: The North Belfast Project Breaking Down Barriers for 13 Years
A cross-community project in North Belfast has been commended for 13 years of quiet, determined work breaking down the physical and mental barriers that have divided interface communities since the Troubles -- including playing a key role in the removal of the Flax Street peace wall.
TASCIT -- Twaddell Ardoyne Shankill Communities in Transition -- brings together four local organisations from both sides of the interface: the Lower Shankill Community Association, Twaddell and Woodvale Residents Association, Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne, and the North Belfast Interface Network. Supported by the International Fund for Ireland's Peace Barriers Programme, the project has invested approximately 4 million pounds since 2021 and involved over 23,000 residents in events and activities.
The Flax Street Transformation
One of TASCIT's most visible achievements is its role in the removal of the Flax Street barrier, which had separated communities for 40 years. The site has since been transformed into Hillview Retail Park, now home to major brands including Lidl and Starbucks -- a tangible symbol of regeneration in an area long defined by division.
Sean Oliver, a TASCIT staff member, described the 13 years as very rewarding, highlighting the project's role in facilitating discussions and creating opportunities for people to come together across community lines.
Challenging Conversations
At the heart of TASCIT's work is its Challenging Conversations course -- an innovative nine-week programme designed to build respect and understanding between nationalist and unionist residents. Since its inception in 2018, the course has engaged over 300 residents from interface areas in North and West Belfast.
Participants explore sensitive issues including the legacy of the Troubles, cultural heritage, identity, politics, history, and flags. Educational trips take participants to City and Shankill cemeteries, and to locations outside Belfast including Mid-Ulster, South Armagh, and Dublin, where they learn about diverse histories including the GAA, the Orange Order, the Easter Rising, and Irish soldiers in World War One. The aim, as the project emphasises, is not to change strongly held views but to expose participants to different perspectives and enable dialogue on contentious issues.
One resident, Mary, shared her experience: having had no contact with people from the other side for 55 years, she found the experience amazing, realising the similarities and shared problems across communities, and seeing a better future for their children and grandchildren.
Recognition and Support
Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Paul Doherty, has commended TASCIT for its success in building trust and achieving agreement on barrier removal through consultations and family-friendly events. IFI Board Member Angila Chada emphasised that projects like TASCIT are crucial for ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts, transforming North Belfast by creating shared community spaces.
Read the full story at Belfast Live.
