Opportunities through European Union
By Derek Reaney
The Special European Union Programmes Body has recently launched the Peace 2 Extension programme, offering 144 million Euro to communities in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties. The programme will be delivered by SEUPB, and extends the funding to 2006 with all projects completed by mid-2008.
Through the new programme, a reduced number of measures have been launched, all of which target, victims, women, young people, older workers and former members of the security forces. All projects must address opportunities arising from peace and or addressing the legacy of past conflict. The new programme will also increase the emphasis on reconciliation.
The extension applies to 13 measures within the programme. To further simplify the programme there is only one implementing body for each measure. The funding is open to all groups except political parties and proscribed organisations.
There are a number of opportunities in the Peace 2 Extended programme for the Ulster-Scots community, and while all the measures are open to Ulster-Scots groups I have selected a number of measures which I believe are relevant.
Rural Reconciliation and Regeneration:
This measure will only apply to Northern Ireland and will be delivered by the Rural Development Council. The measure is aimed at the rural community and includes within its activities, the promotion of rural culture, heritage and identity as a catalyst for local development and economic opportunities.
The measure also lists within its activities the promotion of arts and cultural festivals and activities. With an 8 million Euro budget this measured opened on June 30. For more information contact the Rural Development Council, telephone 028 8676 6980 or log on to the EU grants web site.
Reconciliation for Sustainable Peace:
This measure will be delivered by the Community Relations Council in Northern Ireland and by ADM/CPA in the Border region. This measure is clearly aimed at reconciliation and creating sustainable peace. There is no doubt that Ulster-Scots has a role in creating a peaceful society and it is only through understanding and accepting cultural and religious diversity that sustainable peace can be achieved. This measure seeks to promote projects aimed at such work. This measure has a budget of 10.3 million Euro.
Contact CRC telephone 028 9022 7500 or ADM/CPA, telephone 047 71340
Building Community Capacity and Promoting Active Citizenship:
Delivered by the Community Foundation of Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland and by ADM/CPA in the Border Region, this measure seeks to build community confidence and capacity. Many Ulster-Scots groups need support in developing their capacity, and confidence, while enabling them to fully participate in civic society. Grants up to £50,000 per year for two years are available and small grants up to £10,000 aimed at groups and communities who have never received funding from peace and reconciliation in the past. This measure has a budget of 10.4 million Euro.
Contact CFNI Tel 028 9032 9839 ADM/CPA, telephone 047 71340
Local Economic Initiatives for Developing Local Communities:
All 26 district councils in Northern Ireland have a local strategy partnership and collectively they have been awarded 26.8 million Euros. This measure enables each L.S.P to develop their own action plan and therefore it is difficult to comment on each L.S.P. However, within the measure there is room to include the support for the development of community infrastructure, the development of the social economy, and to include participation of the socially-excluded in social, economic, environmental and peace building activity. Contact details for all 26 L.S.Ps can be obtained from the EU grants website.
Building Better Communities and Improving Rural Communities in the Border Region:
This measure only applies to the Border region and is delivered by the six county council task forces. With a budget of 4.6 million Euro the measure has a wide brief but relevant area include provision of arts and cultural facilities, cultural and arts based activities especially those promoted by young people, events including festivals which attract more visitors. Contact details for all six County Council Task forces can be found on the EU grants website.
Developing Cross-Border Reconciliation and Understanding:
This measure is delivered by ADM/CPA in partnership with CFNI and Cooperation Ireland, and has a budget of 14.56 million Euro. There are a number of opportunities for Ulster-Scots groups, the measure funds a number of activities including projects which promote understanding of different language, cultures and traditions, initiatives which enable young people to experience cultural diversity, confidence building in marginalised and isolated communities, and cross-border networks. For more information contact ADM/CPA, telephone 047 71340
These are only a few of the 13 measures included in the programme and none of the measures exclude Ulster-Scots groups if they can come up with a suitable project. For full details contact SEUPB, telephone 028 9026 6660 or www.eugrants.org
There are two parts to the funding application (A and B). Both parts must be completed, in full before your application is considered complete. Part A can be completed via the website at www.eugrants.org. Part B is a paper based form and can be down-loaded form www.eugrants.org our you can obtain a copy from the funding body; both parts must be completed by the specified closing date.
The website www.eugrants.org is a vital tool, it provides you with all the information about the measures, activities funded, opening and closing dates for each measure, and contact details.
Successful projects are project, which initially are well thought through, with clear objectives, a good management structure and the support of the community. Too many groups simply chase funding without really thinking through how the project will make a difference.
Most funders will open for applications in late June and close in late August or September. In some cases with limited budgets funders will adopt a first in first served policy.
Very few Ulster-Scots groups have availed of peace funding in the past. This Peace 2 Extension may be your last chance. It will call for innovative fresh and challenging projects to be successful.