Winner: Market Area, Belfast

Summary
The Market Development Association (MDA) was established in December 1995 to promote the well-being of all residents living in the Market area of South Belfast. It aims to develop the Market Community into one where people want to live, work and socialise. The MDA seeks to advocate on behalf of the Market Community on socio-economic issues, which impact on the residents by adopting a community development approach. The MDA engages with statutory agencies, government departments, political representatives, the private sector and other stakeholders in order to advance the development of the Market Area into a vibrant and sustainable inner city working class community.

Community Contact: Tracy Mawhinney [email protected]

Citation
The judges were very impressed with the commitment and vision of this Association. They drew up a local plan with the aim to establish the area into a place where people would want to live, work and socialise. The plan is centred on the well-being of all residents and threaded throughout is its main theme of CONNECTIVITY. The Association has four full time staff and a team of volunteers and their plan is currently going through the consultation process. This is a superb example of local empowerment and initiative to encourage economic development and employment.