Community Action Program: The Exodus Project

Derry City and Strabane District Council is seeking suppliers to participate in the PeacePlus The Exodus Project. This initiative focuses on researching and sharing the recent history of Protestant, Unionist, and Loyalist identities in Londonderry, particularly the migration of these communities from the city’s west bank during and after ‘The Troubles.’ The project aims to provide a broader historical context and promote cross-community understanding. It will involve 200 participants, primarily adults from various community, voluntary, and educational organizations within the Derry City and Strabane District area, as well as border counties and other parts of Northern Ireland. Key components of the project include academic research, video production, community engagement, and publication. Some participants may include victims or survivors sharing personal testimonies, requiring a sensitive approach. The community engagement aspect will aim to raise awareness and challenge perceptions among participants who may have limited knowledge of the area. The project is designed to benefit the Moor District Electoral Area while also reaching out to wider audiences. It addresses the under-representation of the Protestant or Unionist community's experiences during the Troubles, particularly the contested narrative of the ‘Exodus’ of Protestants from Derry~Londonderry. Estimates suggest that up to 10,000 Protestants left the area due to fear and intimidation in the 1970s, with varying accounts of the numbers involved. The impact of this migration is visible in the empty or repurposed Protestant church buildings in the Moor and Foyleside areas. The project will also consider the trauma experienced by those affected, emphasizing the need for sensitivity throughout the process. For more details, please refer to the etenders CfT documents.