PEACE II Extension Formally Launched by EU Commissioner

Additional €144M to support Peace and Reconciliation – Under represented groups encouraged to participate

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) welcomed EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hübner, to Belfast today to formally launch the approved €144M Extension to the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE II) in Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland and called on under-represented groups to participate in the Programme.

Northern Ireland Finance Minister Jeff Rooker and Republic of Ireland Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, Brendan Smith TD, also participated at the event and witnessed the official signing of the operational programme for the extension. This represented the culmination of a long running campaign undertaken by many bodies and individuals both here and in Europe for the extension. Following the formal launch, Professor Hübner visited a number of community projects in Belfast that have received funding from PEACE II to see the work of the programme first hand.

It has also been confirmed that the European Commission has given a commitment to review the PEACE II Programme again within 2005 with a view to considering further funding during 2006 to increase the total funding package to €160M.

The extension to the Programme will see a particular emphasis on the area of reconciliation and will continue to target all communities, sectors and areas affected by the conflict. Particular measures under the Programme will focus on the provision of support for victims, cross border work, training for women, and rural development. As part of the extension the Programme will focus on the problems of specific communities which have previously lacked sufficient capacity to avail of Programme funding and will be taking steps to encourage applications from under represented bodies including ethnic minorities and the Protestant working class communities.

Speaking at the launch, Pat Colgan, Chief Executive, SEUPB, Managing Authority for the PEACE II programme said:

“Today’s official launch is excellent news for all in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland and represents the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication by a large number of bodies and individuals, who have been committed to achieving an extension of the important PEACE II Programme. This extension is a significant endorsement of the success of the programme to date and will allow the good work already undertaken within PEACE II to be built upon. As we move into this latest phase there will be a new focus brought to the overall Programme, as we further enhance the reconciliation process here.

“During this extension, our commitment is to make the Programme as accessible as possible and we would especially encourage those communities and groups which have not fully participated in the Programme to date to get involved. We will soon be kicking off an information roadshow throughout the eligible area to let people know more about the programme and how they can get involved. Clearly the Programme has delivered much to date and we are keen to ensure that all sections of our society experience the benefits of this additional funding.”