Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - News - Councils Sign up to Stamp Out Sectarianism

10 December 2008

A major workshop was hosted on Tuesday (9.12.08) in the Silver Birch Hotel, Omagh, by the Community Relations Council and Border Action.

The workshop gave local authorities in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties an opportunity to meet and discuss their plans and involvement in the current Peace III Funding Programme - Building Positive Relations at the Local Level. This initiative is part of the European Union funded Peace III Programme which involves Local Authorities at grass roots level in peace building initiatives and strategies which aim to stamp out sectarianism and racism. The councils are guided by Development Officers from CRC and BA who are experienced and successful in the implementation of these much needed funds from Europe.

The €47.5 million funding will enable Councils to put their Peace and Reconciliation Plans into action through initiatives such as arts and culture, sport and leisure and citizenship promotion. The Plans will address needs in local areas and seek to have shared services available to the whole community.

Today’s workshops saw in-depth information sharing and a real commitment to the Programme. CRC and BA outlined their comprehensive support role in assisting the administering of these plans; ensuring that the local level goals will be achieved and the whole community will benefit. The outcome of the Plans will be an increase in Cross-Community Friendships in a mutually tolerant and accepting society.