Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council launches its Peace IV programme
Fri, October 20, 2017
The Causeway Coast and Glens Peace IV Partnership has celebrated the launch of its Peace IV Programme worth £3.5 million to the local community.
Delivery of the programme will begin with Community Launches and Halloween Taster Sessions for targeted primary and post-primary schools throughout the Council area.
Under the three main themes of ‘Children and Young People’, ‘Shared Spaces and Services’ and ‘Building Positive Relations’, there are plenty of opportunities for people from different communities and backgrounds to participate.
Welcoming the funding, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird, OBE said, “As a member of the Peace IV Partnership, I am mindful of all the work that has gone into the development of this programme. I look forward to seeing how this vital funding is used to promote an ethos of working together and I am delighted that a major strand of the project involves children and young people. They will benefit from sport and culture opportunities, and overall the initiative will enhance integration and community relations across the Borough.”
Gina McIntyre, CEO with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), which manages the PEACE IV Programme, said: “Local authorities will make an invaluable contribution to the delivery of the new PEACE IV Programme by ensuring that funding is distributed at a local level where it can make a real impact. The benefit of this programme is not just about the funding it brings to the area but about the partnerships it creates between different community and voluntary organisations.
“Partnerships will help build trust and relationships, resulting in meaningful contact and greater levels of peace and reconciliation. The launch is about recognising this and finding out how it will be delivered through the partnerships created by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.”
Councillor James McCorkell, Chair of the Peace IV Partnership said: “At the community launches, groups and community members can find out how they can get involved in peace building programmes over the next two years within the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Successful tender bidders will be announced over the coming weeks. There will also be other opportunities to become involved in local projects, forums and events.”
The Community Launches will begin on Saturday 21st October in Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre in Limavady. This will be followed by Coleraine Town Hall (28th October), Ballymoney Town Hall (4th November) and Ramoan Parish Centre, Ballycastle (4th November). All events will run from 12pm – 2.30pm. They will provide communities with a flavour of what to expect from Peace IV as well as an opportunity to register interest as an individual or on behalf of a community group.
