REPRESENTATIVES of Peace IV funded projects from three local Council areas met in the Guildhall this week for a specially arranged networking event.
Derry City and Strabane District Council have worked closely with Donegal County Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Council to promote cross-border and cross-community working and reconciliation content within their locally delivered PEACE IV projects.
The Derry City and Strabane District Council area has secured £6.7 million of EU PEACE IV funding and the positive impacts are being felt across the council area as Chair of the Peace IV Board, Councillor Caoimhe McKnight explained.
“Most of our local PEACE IV funded projects are well up and running at this stage,” she noted.
“These range from small grants projects up to £50,000 each which were won by 12 local community groups, Council led projects on a range of service areas like Peace Tourism, Community Planning and Sport; and 19 major tender awards totalling over £2 million.
“The tender awards are predominantly allocated to leading Community and Voluntary sector groups locally.
“Networking across council areas will encourage and strengthen our local projects which are continuing to put in tremendous work for reconciliation.’
Catherine Cooke from Foyle Women’s Information Network and Co-Chair of the PEACE IV Board added:
“We’ve a second round of small grants opening in November where groups can apply for up to £50,000.
“If any local community groups have ideas for sustained cross-community projects with clear reconciliation content they should contact the PEACE IV Team and find out more information.”
With so many local projects, there are wide-ranging opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved as participants.
Anyone interested in supporting local reconciliation, cross-community and cross-border work is encouraged to sign up online for the monthly e-newsletter on www.derrystrabane.com/Peace-IV
“There are frequent opportunities arising now for individuals to get involved in projects for free,” said Sue Divin, Council’s PEACE IV Programme Manager.
“That may mean signing up for cultural workshops, community training courses, conferences or other community activities.
“There’s something for everyone if they are interested in community activity which supports peace building locally.”
The PEACE IV Programme is supported by the European Union, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Match-funding has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.
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