Inner North Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal
Mount Vernon is an urban area in North Belfast with high levels of deprivation and fuel poverty.
Enthusiastic about addressing the local energy situation, our work encompasses a wide range of initiatives, including educational support, anti-poverty measures, employment services, capacity building, and programs for various age groups. Notably, Mount Vernon Community Development Forum has been leading in addressing fuel and food poverty, operating a Social Supermarket and partnering with National Energy Action (NEA) to improve home energy efficiency.
Ashton is a social enterprise and development trust that seeks to make North Belfast a better place for its residents to live and prosper. It does this through the provision of services, employment, training, and community development.
Project Updates
Inner North Belfast and eTownz
Inner North Belfast has appointed eTownz as their community energy consultant. The first meeting between eTownz, community reps and the SEC team took place on Wednesday 25th June, 2025.
eTownz will be assessing 50 homes and 5 community buildings as part of their work on the energy master plan.
Inner North Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal Community Update
Following the recent change from Mount Vernon to Inner North Neighbourhood Renewal, the community is alive with sustainable energy enthusiasm.
Our team, including Eleazar and Jason, met with the Knitter Natters ladies on December 2, 2024 in Mount Vernon Community Centre to introduce the Sustainable Energy Communities NI project.
The group responded warmly, exchanging valuable energy conservation tips and generating fresh ideas.
Also in December 2024, Jason, John, Eleazar, and Billy attended a meeting at the Ashton Centre in North Belfast with the staff members. We explored energy production possibilities in the North Foreshore area and proposed integrating our project into the centre’s poverty action plan for the new year. We also addressed policy concerns, noting that monthly energy bills paid via cards are 40% more expensive, disproportionately impacting those in need.
Furthermore, Jason and Eleazar led a session with the EA Youth Group, engaging ten 12-14-year-olds in the Climate Fresk card game. The kids were captivated, staying fully involved and taking project booklets home to share with their parents. A special thanks to youth leaders Sam and Christine for their support—and for the pizza!
All through March 2025, the SEC team in collaboration with Paul McNama from ATU has been working tirelessly with Billy Hutchinson, Ciara Rea and other representatives from the Inner North Belfast SEC on their consultant procurement for their energy master plan. This connotes a giant stride towards addressing the issue of fuel poverty in the region and energy efficiency awareness for residents. Special thanks to the host reps for the personalised tour of all the North Belfast project area given to the SEC team.
This Ashton Centre building used for day care has some internal damp issues. It is an old building that has been extended multiple times at the rear. On the day we visited it was cold outside, very warm inside and all the windows were left open! It’s one of the properties that is set to benefit from the project as it has been included on the list of non-domestic properties for the consultant to assess. Ashton Centre are using at least 5 buildings in the community which we will look at as well as a few in Mount Vernon.
From knitters to youth, Inner North Belfast multi-generational interest in sustainable energy and climate action is inspiring, and we’re eager to keep the momentum going!
Project Launch Event, Mount Vernon
On 11th September 2024 Advice NI announced the launch of the Sustainable Energy Communities NI (SEC NI) Project at an event in Mount Vernon Community Centre, North Belfast. We had around 60 in attendance which included project staff, project and associate partners, representatives from the 4 communities, as well as politicians, Stormont Department representatives and local press. This had been delayed a few months due to the general election in the summer.
In December 2024, Advice NI following a successful tender process with 5 responses has appointed CARD Group for project evaluation. They will also be assisting with community engagement and the development of questionnaires. Albert Hamilton, Chief Executive of CARD has initiated contact with project partners and attends Steering Group meetings as part of the evaluation process.
