Aims and Objectives   North Antrim Community Network (NACN) has been in existence since    1985 and was initially called the ‘Glens of Antrim Rural Community Development Association’ (GARCDA). It was confined to the mid-Glens, i.e. Cushendun, Cushendall and Glenariff, and came together to create a stronger voice around local housing issues. It was not until 1995 that funding became available to set up an office and employ a worker. In this same year, the Network expanded beyond the Glens and quadrupled its membership. Currently there are 40 member groups, which are primarily representative village or theme based organisations. The Network changed its name to the North Antrim Community Network (NACN) in the period 1996/97 to reflect the broader interests and a larger geographical area, as it expanded northwards and westwards to include the four Council areas of Moyle, Ballymoney, Ballymena and Larne. The Network is managed by a Board of Directors that are elected from member organisations, a number of which have been heavily involved from the inception of the group and as a result have built up a vast amount of experience in the sector. The original aims of the Network have widened considerably since its inception to include a comprehensive community development and networking service to groups in the catchment area. The primary aims of North Antrim Community Network are to offer a community development service to it’s member groups and to focus on the practice of networking to allow community groups themselves to share knowledge and experience. The Network aims to provide an opportunity for rural communities to have a voice and an influence, without compelling members to loose their chosen identity, adherence and difference interests.