MSCNI MSCNI

⚽🎸🥁🤾🏻‍♀️🪇⚽🤼🏼🤹🏽

We are proud to deliver the MSCNI Change Cup 2026, a PEACEPLUS-funded Intercultural Cross-Border Inclusion Programme bringing communities together through sport and cultural engagement.

👉🏽 Adult: 17th – 19th July
👉🏽 Youth: 31st July – 2nd August
📍 Belfast, 2026, Derry/Londonderry 2027 & Donegal 2028

The programme promotes:

👉Sport, Identity and Belonging

👉Good relations and peacebuilding Workshops.

👉Anti-racism

👉Mental health

👉 Register via the QR code

The programme will culminate in the Sportsmania Fest Family Fun Day, a vibrant celebration featuring arts, music, food, and community engagement activities, bringing participants and families together in a shared space of unity.

Play Together | Learn Together | Change Together

CommunityDevelopment Inclusion SocialImpact SportsForGood

🏆 NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE UN YEAR OF VOLUNTEERING AWARDS 2026🏆

2026 has been designated as the UN Year of Volunteering for Sustainable Development.
To mark this significant year, Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons MLA will host a special awards ceremony recognising the individuals and organisations making a real difference across Northern Ireland.

Volunteers are at the heart of our communities. They bring people together, support those in need, and help create positive change every day.

Now is your chance to recognise the people, teams and organisations whose time, dedication and commitment are making a lasting impact.

📅 Nominations close: 30 September 2026
🏛️ Awards Ceremony: 3 December 2026
👉 Nominate today
🔗 UN Year of Volunteering Awards 2026 - Volunteer Now

🌿🎨 MSCNI Youth Summer Activities Are Underway! ☀️

Our MSCNI Youth Summer Activities officially kicked off this week, and what a fantastic start it has been!

There is something truly inspiring about seeing our young people embrace the beauty of Belfast's green spaces while expressing their creativity through art, play and outdoor learning. These activities are more than just summer fun, they encourage imagination, build confidence, promote wellbeing and help young people develop a deeper appreciation for the natural environment around them.

Throughout the summer, MSCNI will continue to visit and make use of our city's wonderful parks and green spaces, providing children and young people with safe, inclusive environments where they can learn, create, make new friends and thrive. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to discover their talents, connect with nature and experience the joy of belonging within their community.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated volunteers who generously give their time, energy and passion to make these activities possible. Your commitment, encouragement and care are helping to create lasting memories and meaningful experiences for our young people. We truly appreciate everything you do.

"Green spaces are more than parks, they are classrooms without walls, where creativity flourishes, friendships grow, and young people discover that their imagination has no limits."

We look forward to sharing more highlights from our summer programme in the weeks ahead!

CommunityDevelopment OutdoorLearning YouthEmpowerment Belfast NorthernIreland Inclusion ArtsAndCreativity HealthyCommunities Belonging NatureMatters Volunteers ThankYouVolunteers

MSCNI was proudly represented at the Windrush Day Reception at 10 Downing Street. 🇬🇧
It was a tremendous honour to represent Multi-Ethnic Sports & Cultures NI (MSCNI) at the Windrush Day Reception hosted at 10 Downing Street, following an invitation from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
The reception brought together members of the Windrush community, community leaders and organisations from across the UK to celebrate the remarkable legacy and enduring contributions of the Windrush Generation.
The speech by The Rt. Hon. David Lammy MP, Deputy Prime Minister, was both inspiring and deeply moving. One message that particularly resonated with me was:

"The Windrush generation helped build the Britain we know today. Through their hard work, resilience and determination, they transformed our country for the better, often in the face of prejudice and injustice."

He also reminded us that:

"Windrush is not only about remembering the past. It's about recognising those who shaped our present and inspiring the future we want to build together."

Those words capture exactly why Windrush Day matters. It is an opportunity not only to honour the sacrifices and achievements of the Windrush Generation, but also to renew our collective commitment to equality, justice, dignity and inclusion for everyone.

At MSCNI, we remain committed to building stronger, more inclusive communities through sport, culture and community development, ensuring that the values embodied by the Windrush Generation continue to inspire future generations.

We sincere thanks to The Rt. Hon. David Lammy MP, the Deputy Prime Minister's Office, the Windrush Unit at the Home Office, and everyone involved in organising such a memorable occasion.

"When we honour the Windrush Generation, we do more than remember history, we celebrate resilience, recognise contribution, and strengthen our commitment to building a fairer and more united society for generations to come."

CommunityLeadership Inclusion Equality RaceEquality CommunityDevelopment NorthernIreland Belonging Diversity Justice

🔥⚽ MSCNI SUPER LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS – LIVE UPDATE! ⚽🔥

🏆 FULL TIME RESULT:
Yaqeen FC 4️⃣ – 2️⃣ BIC NI
👏🏾 Massive performance from Yaqeen FC as they secure their place in the GRAND FINAL!

See them on 2nd August 2026 at Blanchflower Stadium during the Sportsmania Fest Family Fun Day 🎉

🚨 LIVE NOW:
Somalia NI 0️⃣ – 6️⃣ International Community F.C (Half Time)
🔥 International Community FC in dominant form so far—can Somalia respond in the second half?
📢 Stay tuned for more updates!

Leading up to Change Cup and Africa Cultural Festival 2026 funded by PEACEPLUS and administered by SEUPB.

💬 We don’t encourage competition, we encourage participation.

SportsmaniaFest FootballForAll

Building Stronger Communities Through Restorative Practice 🤝

This weekend, the MSCNI team had the privilege of participating in a one-night residential Restorative Justice Foundation Training Programme as part of the ACCEPT Programme, funded by PEACEPLUS and administered by SEUPB.

The training was expertly delivered by Brian and Carly from Northern Ireland Alternatives, who introduced us to the core principles, practices and mindset of restorative work. Through engaging workshops and practical exercises, we explored how restorative approaches can strengthen relationships, repair harm, resolve conflict constructively, and build stronger, more connected communities.

At MSCNI, we are committed to promoting inclusion, integration, community cohesion and belonging through sport, culture and education. Investing in restorative practice strengthens our ability to create safe spaces where people from all backgrounds can build trust, have meaningful conversations, and work together to overcome challenges.

A heartfelt thank you to Brian and Carly for facilitating such an inspiring and interactive residential experience. We also thank Northern Ireland Alternatives, the ACCEPT Programme, PEACEPLUS, and SEUPB for investing in community leaders and equipping organisations with the skills to foster peace, understanding and lasting positive change.

Together, we continue to build stronger relationships, resilient communities and a more inclusive Northern Ireland.

CommunityCohesion

🔥⚽ MSCNI SUPER LEAGUE QUARTER FINALS ARE BACK! ⚽🔥

After a short break, the action resumes this Sunday as the Super League Quarter Finals return 🙌🏾

📅 Sunday 21st June 2026
📍 Coláiste Feirste
Get ready for a day of high-intensity football as the top teams battle it out for a place in the Semi Finals 💥
⚔️ Fixtures:
🕛 12:00 – Yaqeen NI 🆚 East Africa Youth NI
🕜 13:30 – Ghana NI 🆚 BIC NI
🕒 15:00 – Somali NI 🆚 Wazobia NI
🕟 16:30 – Syria NI 🆚 International Community FC
This is where it gets serious… 🔥
Road to the Final at Sportsmania Fest (2nd August) continues!

Leading to Change Cup and Africa Cultural Festival funded by PEACEPLUS and administered by SEUPB.

💬 We don’t encourage competition, we encourage participation.
Come out and support your teams 👏🏾

CommunityUnity

🎉👏 Congratulations to everyone involved in delivering a highly successful Big Sanctuary Information Fair 2026!

MSCNI would like to extend our sincere thanks to Queen's University Belfast, Belfast City Council, the Department for Communities, and all participating organisations for creating such an important and welcoming event for migrant, refugee, asylum-seeking, and minority ethnic communities across Belfast and Northern Ireland.

MSCNI was proud to be represented on both days, engaging with hundreds of attendees, sharing information about our sports, cultural, education, wellbeing, and integration programmes, and connecting people with opportunities to participate and belong within their communities.

It was also a pleasure to welcome Belfast's new Lord Mayor, Róisín McCormick, whose presence highlighted the importance of inclusion, diversity, and building a city where everyone feels valued and supported.

Events like this demonstrate the power of partnership working and the positive impact that can be achieved when organisations come together to provide practical support, advice, and opportunities for people from all backgrounds.

Well done to all exhibitors, volunteers, staff, interpreters, organisers, and attendees who made the event such a success.

Together, we continue to build a more welcoming, inclusive, and connected Belfast for all.