A community group in west Belfast has been awarded £123,353 to support youth work through the Irish language. Glór na Móna, based at Gael Ionad Mhic-Goill on the Whiterock Road, will receive the funding over three years from the Community Foundation NI's Lead the Change programme.

The organisation runs youth programmes and clubs in Irish for children and young people in west Belfast. Services are offered five nights a week and are used by more than 300 children.

The funding will allow Glór na Móna, in collaboration with the Anaka Women's Collective, to empower young leaders in both organisations to address intolerance and racism by teaching internationalism, solidarity and campaigning. Anaka Women's Collective is a volunteer-run group based in Belfast that supports women from minority backgrounds and runs community programmes. It provided support during recent disorder in Belfast over the summer.

Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh, director of Glór na Móna, said the group was excited to receive the funding. He said the programme was developed with young Irish speakers and young migrants who face difficulties or are marginalised, and would build skills and foster activism among young people.

The aim, he said, is to create opportunities for young people to come together regardless of differences, develop political participation, build relationships focused on internationalism, and take action to tackle racism, build solidarity and strengthen participation.