Peace II funding has now been fully allocated.

Social Enterprise Start Up:

Belfast Local Strategy Partnership is responsible for the delivery in Belfast of Measure 3.1 of the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland (Peace II) Extension 2000 - 2006.

Measure 3.1 supports Local Economic Initiatives for Developing Local Communities.

The Board of Belfast LSP has determined that the opportunity provided by the extension period will see focused investment in two major operational areas:

• Social Economy – Belfast LSP will continue to act as a catalyst for change within the sector;
• Civil Society and Peace Building – Belfast LSP will support a concerted range of interventions that address directly the issue of deep-rooted division within our city

Belfast LSP is now inviting applications for funding towards the start-up cost of social enterprises in the Belfast City Council area. This call relates to revenue and/or capital costs.

With an indicative budget of up to £550, 000 for this call, it is anticipated the maximum value of individual awards will be £60, 000.

Aim

To provide a progression route for projects and organisations in the Belfast City Council area who are at the stage of starting-up a social enterprise.

Criteria

• Project proposals must be supported by a standard comprehensive up-to-date business plan which clearly demonstrates and supports the business case for the social economy enterprise. The business plan must be provided at the point of application.
• Project proposals must be at a stage to commence trading as a social enterprise, demonstrating their ability to start operations and utilise any financial support immediately.
• Project proposals must be able to demonstrate how they promote regeneration, create sustainable employment and deliver benefits to TSN areas in Belfast.
• Project proposals must be able to demonstrate how they will meet both operational and financial targets
• Project promoters must be able to demonstrate an awareness of the range of provision for the Social Economy in Belfast in relation to financial and other business support.

In addition any proposal must be able to demonstrate how it meets the distinctiveness criteria of the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland (Peace II) Extension 2000 - 2006 in terms of specifically:

• Addressing the legacy of the conflict
• Taking the opportunities arising from Peace
• Paving the way to reconciliation

Support will be for a maximum period of 18 months.

Once Part A forms have been completed online, completed Part B application forms and complete business plans must be submitted to Emily Park, Belfast Local Strategy Partnership, 5th Floor Premier Business Centre, 20 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GD no later than 4pm Wednesday 19th April 2006.

To access the application forms please click here.

Outline on Measures