About Us

The vision
  • Forbairt Feirste was established in 1994 to 'promote our cultural heritage through economic regeneration'.
  • The organisations'main aim was 'the creation of jobs and new opportunities for Belfasts' Irish speaking community'
Current work

To promote Irish in the economic sector Forbairt Feirste is implementing a two pronged strategy:
  • training provision for the Irish speaking community so that the Irish speaking workforce will be confident and highly skilled
  • Promotion of Irish in every aspect of business life so that Irish speakers will have an advantage and extra opportunities in the job market
Projects
  • Forbairt 2000: Forbairt Feirste is providing the only Irish Medium training course for school leavers in the North of Ireland
  • Gnó le Gaeilge: This campaign encourages businesses and organisations in Belfast to implement a bilingual policy in relation to signage and services.
  • An Nasc: A new purpose built £300,000 Irish Language centre on the Falls Road.
  • Business Directory which lists all businesses in Belfast that provide bilingual services.
  • Eurocraft, a transnational project which develops and promotes the craft sectors of the participating regions.
  • Business Start-Up training in conjunction with LEDU, to date there have been 2 courses in Belfast and 1 in Derry.
  • A basic Television Course in conjunction with Nemeton.
  • Forum for Further Education and Training, a newly established forum that is researching the needs of the Irish speaking community with the aim of making appropriate provisions.
  • Seo chugainn an Béal Feirste Nua... a publicity campaign that aims to attract investment to the Irish speaking areas of Belfast.