Peace II funding has now been fully allocated.
Measure 3.1 Peace II Extension: Local Economic Initiatives for developing Local Communities (Northern Ireland) (ERDF)
Rationale and Background
The adverse socio-economic and political conditions of the conflict in Northern Ireland have resulted in a depressed local economy, particularly in areas of high conflict and social disadvantage. A key concern of the Peace II Programme is to promote local regeneration and sustainability, particularly in areas of high social need and high conflict. This Priority develops and consolidates the distinctive approaches to ensure local implementation through locally based delivery mechanisms. The Measure, which provides the ERDF support, will focus on achieving local development in line with local needs and priorities, but in a way that is also consistent with and balanced by European and regional policies. Local Strategy Partnerships will lead in securing local agreement and community participation in progressing actions that are consistent with local integrated strategies and plans. The LSPs will be encouraged to adopt a range of principles in the extension period, which will advance strategic issues and joint working consistent with the Integrated Local Strategy
Measure Aims and Objectives
- To co-ordinate the Structural Funds at local level through an integrated approach and provide a clear interface between local actions (including those funded by other EU and government programmes).
- To support work which meets the social and economic requirements of the local areas.
- To support the development of community infrastructure
- To promote the development of the social economy. To address the equality of opportunity across the main traditions
- To encourage the participation of the socially excluded in social, economic, environmental and peace building activity.
Indicative Activities
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 – where we will continue to act as a catalyst for change within the sector;
- Civil Society and Peace Building – through support for a concerted range of interventions that address directly the issue of deep-rooted division within our city.
