Menu
19/06/2001
VISION FOR NI POST EU PEACE FUNDING
A conference, entitled ‘Beyond PEACE II – the Challenge’ took place in Belfast's Odyssey and was attended by over 200 delegates from across Europe.
The burning issue of how Northern Ireland will cope when European Union peace funding runs out in three years' time was discussed.
The debate was organised by the Belfast European Partnership Board in response to community group fears that unless the problem is addressed now, jobs will be lost.
Speaking to the delegation, Minister for the Department of Education and Learning Dr Sean Farren proposed a partnership framework that would take Northern Ireland beyond PEACE II.
These ‘Local Strategy Partnerships’ headed by a new Regional Partnership Board would involve local government and the four pillars of the social partners, namely the community/voluntary sector; trade unions; the private sector and the agriculture and rural development sector. These partnerships would then go on to strengthen and build on the successes of the Peace II programme community work.
Dr Farren said: “Partnership is not exclusive to EU funding. The vision of the future is to see partnership working becoming an integral part of how we, as a devolved administration, ensure that local community voices are heard and influence priorities for spending at local level.
“It is vital that statutory agencies operating at local level become involved in partnership working, taking full account of the views and priorities of local communities operating at grass roots level.”
Since 1995, £350m has been made available to Northern Ireland as part of peace funding.
The Belfast European Partnership Board said EU funding schemes had played "a critical role in underpinning the peace process by encouraging stronger community interaction at grass roots level and by providing more jobs and widening opportunities".
Deirdre MacBride, chief executive of the board, said the private and public sectors must work together to find ways of replacing funding which is "vital" to community projects.
She said: "It is impossible to underestimate the importance of EU funding to Northern Ireland. It is vital to develop a strategy that addresses what Northern Ireland will do when the peace money runs out in 2004." (AMcE)
The burning issue of how Northern Ireland will cope when European Union peace funding runs out in three years' time was discussed.
The debate was organised by the Belfast European Partnership Board in response to community group fears that unless the problem is addressed now, jobs will be lost.
Speaking to the delegation, Minister for the Department of Education and Learning Dr Sean Farren proposed a partnership framework that would take Northern Ireland beyond PEACE II.
These ‘Local Strategy Partnerships’ headed by a new Regional Partnership Board would involve local government and the four pillars of the social partners, namely the community/voluntary sector; trade unions; the private sector and the agriculture and rural development sector. These partnerships would then go on to strengthen and build on the successes of the Peace II programme community work.
Dr Farren said: “Partnership is not exclusive to EU funding. The vision of the future is to see partnership working becoming an integral part of how we, as a devolved administration, ensure that local community voices are heard and influence priorities for spending at local level.
“It is vital that statutory agencies operating at local level become involved in partnership working, taking full account of the views and priorities of local communities operating at grass roots level.”
Since 1995, £350m has been made available to Northern Ireland as part of peace funding.
The Belfast European Partnership Board said EU funding schemes had played "a critical role in underpinning the peace process by encouraging stronger community interaction at grass roots level and by providing more jobs and widening opportunities".
Deirdre MacBride, chief executive of the board, said the private and public sectors must work together to find ways of replacing funding which is "vital" to community projects.
She said: "It is impossible to underestimate the importance of EU funding to Northern Ireland. It is vital to develop a strategy that addresses what Northern Ireland will do when the peace money runs out in 2004." (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 January 2009
Peace People Return To Belfast
A veteran of many 'peace' rallies in the 1970s - Mairead Corrigan Maguire - one of the original anti-NI Troubles 'Peace People', has addressed a large Belfast crowd to condemn the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. She was speaking at the weekend when the City Hall demonstration was held against the Israeli attack on the Gaza area.
Peace People Return To Belfast
A veteran of many 'peace' rallies in the 1970s - Mairead Corrigan Maguire - one of the original anti-NI Troubles 'Peace People', has addressed a large Belfast crowd to condemn the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. She was speaking at the weekend when the City Hall demonstration was held against the Israeli attack on the Gaza area.
31 January 2002
John Hume honoured with Ghandi Peace Prize
Former leader of the SDLP and Nobel Laureate John Hume will be honoured in India with the Ghandi Peace Prize.
John Hume honoured with Ghandi Peace Prize
Former leader of the SDLP and Nobel Laureate John Hume will be honoured in India with the Ghandi Peace Prize.
28 June 2011
Dodds Calls For Further Peace Fund Payments
European Minister Diane Dodds has called for a continuation of Northern Ireland's peace fund during a special hearing in Brussels into special EU programmes. The Peace III Programme, worth some €333 million to Northern Ireland and the border counties, is due to end in 2013.
Dodds Calls For Further Peace Fund Payments
European Minister Diane Dodds has called for a continuation of Northern Ireland's peace fund during a special hearing in Brussels into special EU programmes. The Peace III Programme, worth some €333 million to Northern Ireland and the border counties, is due to end in 2013.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
04 March 2002
Public play role in distribution of £4.3m Peace Funding
Lisburn Partnership recently put plans together for the distribution of £4.3 million worth of funds from the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation after a public consultation at the Island Civic Centre.
Public play role in distribution of £4.3m Peace Funding
Lisburn Partnership recently put plans together for the distribution of £4.3 million worth of funds from the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation after a public consultation at the Island Civic Centre.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
