Smarts has won the CIPR Presidents Grand Prix award in the Community Relations category

From left, Lisa McElherron of Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group, Sarah Young of Smarts, and Renee Crawford and Jean Brown of the SLIG Management Committee


Communications consultancy Smarts has won the CIPR Presidents Grand Prix award in the Community Relations category for its work in supporting Suffolk and Lenadoon Interface Group’s (SLIG) ‘At the Interface’ campaign. In addition to being the only consultancy in Northern Ireland to have won one of these awards this year, Smarts is also the only local agency to hold three Grand Prix awards.
 
The PRide Awards Gold award winners are judged by a panel of experienced CIPR professionals and are pitched against Gold award winners in the same category from 13 regions throughout the United Kingdom for a Grand Prix Award. 
 
The communications campaign won on the strength of the community focus in the backdrop of the sensitive area of sectarian relationships.
 
Established in 1996, SLIG is committed to building strong, positive relationships between the two neighbouring communities of Unionist Suffolk and Nationalist Lenadoon in West Belfast.
 
Smarts developed a communications strategy to support SLIG’s peace building strategy for the Suffolk and Lenadoon areas and provided communications support for events including: the unique ‘Playing for Peace’ soccer tournament which was attended by 190 young people from across Belfast’s interface areas; and Northern Ireland’s first joint interface Christmas Carol Service, which took place on the Stewartstown Road.
 
Commenting on the success, Sarah Young, Director at Smarts, said: “We are delighted that our work with SLIG has been recognised for excellence on a UK-wide basis. This is testament to our particular expertise in the not-for-profit area and in supporting campaigns that address sensitive issues, while helping to make a real difference to communities.”
 
According to the Grand Prix judges: “This entry ticked all the boxes when it comes to planning and delivering a successful community relations campaign. Add to the mix the historical sectarian issues, and it is clear that Smarts has truly taken the brief and created something special. The two communities involved were handled with sensitivity at every touch point; Smarts also ensured a highly inclusive approach so that both communities felt ownership of the campaign.”