Bridge Partnership Publishes 1st Annual Review

The Bridge Partnership (Banbridge District Local Partnership Limited), which is charged with administering £1.2 million in PEACE II (EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation) funds and implementing an Integrated Local Strategy for the District’s long-term future, recently published its first annual review covering the financial year 2003/04.

The Review outlines how the Bridge Partnership is supporting many projects throughout the Banbridge District which aim to promote and enable the sustainable social, economic and environmental development of the Banbridge District. Two such projects are highlighted within the Review, firstly, Banbridge Youth Partnership which seeks to promote the development of a support infrastructure for young people and secondly, the Sustainable Communities project, which aims to develop and implement an integrated community infrastructure, education and communication programme to assist the creation of a vibrant and informed community within the Banbridge District.

Councillor Cassie McDermott, Chairperson of The Bridge Partnership commented, "The Annual Review documents the Partnership’s success in committing a majority of its funds to PEACE II projects, which will hopefully make a real difference to many communities, whether it is assisting a community group to build capacity or helping an unemployed person to gain the qualifications they need in order to secure employment. However, we acknowledge that much work remains to be done and the Review highlights the Action Teams we have established to help build networks and make progress in each of the nine strategic themes highlighted in our Integrated Local Strategy."

Elaine Gillespie, The Bridge Partnership Programme Manager, added, "Full details of the 24 Board Members of the Partnership who represent many of the key stakeholder groups and organisations operating throughout the District are listed in the Review along with the financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2004."

A copy of ‘The Bridge Partnership Annual Review 03/04’ is available to download by visiting www.bridgepartnership.org.uk