nacn services
staff members
nacn projects

 

 

   
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.