Peace III 1.1 Building Positive Relations - Regional Projects

Overview

The overall objective of the Peace III Programme is to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promoting reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region.

Priority 1: Reconciling communities

This Priority will focus on two key areas:

• Building positive relations at the local level; and
• Acknowledging and dealing with the past.

Priority 1 Theme 1.1 Building positive relations at the local level: €140 million

Under this theme the programme will support projects and activities that will facilitate relationships on a cross- community and/or cross-border basis to assist in addressing issues of trust, prejudice and intolerance and in accepting commonalities and differences. The theme is also concerned with challenging attitudes to racism and sectarianism and in supporting conflict resolution and mediation. This theme aims to support the implementation of strategic models of collaboration between the public, private and community sectors that focus on reconciliation, cultural diversity and equality. It further aims to establish meaningful cross-community and cross-border initiatives that will improve trust and tolerance.

This Priority will be delivered at both a local and a regional level:

Local

Opportunities for PEACE III funding are available directly from the Peace Partnerships under theme 1.1 Building Positive Relations at the Local Level. For further information on these please contact your local council.

Regional (Closed)

The Theme within this Priority for which applications are invited is: Building Positive Relations (REGIONAL PROJECTS ONLY).

The theme of Building Positive Relations is concerned with challenging attitudes to racism and sectarianism and in supporting conflict resolution and mediation. This theme aims to support the implementation of strategic models of collaboration between the public, private and community sectors that focus on reconciliation, cultural diversity and equality. It further aims to establish meaningful cross-community and cross-border initiatives that will improve trust and tolerance.

In keeping with the overall aim of the PEACE III Programme, applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed operation will reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promote reconciliation. Proposals must focus on areas and groups that have been affected by the conflict. (Further details of the target groups and areas are described in sections 4.38 and 4.39 of the PEACE III Operational Programme

Priority and Theme Objectives

Applications are sought which will promote activities on a regional level and / or cross-border basis where some dimensions of building positive relationships may be best addressed. This could include, for example, actions to ensure the active involvement of women, youth or other identified groups in strategic actions that contribute to Programme objectives.

Proposals must be strategic in focus and implemented on a regional basis across the whole eligible region of Northern Ireland and Border Counties of Ireland. Proposals should focus on areas and groups that have been affected by the conflict.

The Peace III Programme is 100% funded, however SEUPB would encourage projects that are capable of providing an element of public expenditure towards match funding.

How to Apply

Expressions of Interest: Applicants have the option of completing an expression of interest in advance of submitting a formal application. This facility is available until Monday 25th October 2010; it is optional and provides applicants with the opportunity to receive informal feedback on a project prior to submitting their formal application. The submission of an expression of interest does not guarantee funding and applicants are still required to submit a full application form by the published closing date in order to be formally considered for funding.

The Application Form and guidance notes are available from www.eugrants.org

The call for applications under the theme of Building Positive Relations – Regional Projects will close at 3.00pm on Monday 17th January 2011. The closing date will be strictly adhered to. Applications will not be accepted after the published closing date.