Community Relations Council

The EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland (2007-2013)  - 'the PEACE III Programme' - is a distinctive European Union Structural Funds Programme aimed at "reinforcing progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promoting reconciliation." 

Taking this overall aim forward, the PEACE III Programme focuses on two strategic objectives outlined as follows:

        Priority 1:    Reconciling Communities
        Priority 2:    Contributing to a Shared Society

Priority 1: Reconciling Communities

Key activities will facilitate relationships on a cross community and/or cross-border basis to assist in addressing issues of trust, prejudice and intolerance, and accepting commonalities and differences.  In addition, key activities will seek to acknowledge and deal with the hurt, losses, trauma and suffering caused by the conflict and has been broken down into two themes as follows:

Theme 1.1:   Building positive relationships at the local level;
Theme 1.2:   Acknowledging and dealing with the past.

CRC is currently working with Border Action on both of the Priority 1 themes. 

Theme 1.2 comprises three individual strands as follows:

STRAND 1 - 'Addressing legacy and truth in Public Memory' This Strand is now closed.

STRAND 2 -'Support for Participation' (Currently closed for applications; as of as of 12 noon on Friday 30^th January 2009) - update to follow.

Measure 1.2 – Acknowledging and Dealing  with the Past 

The Consortium wishes to invite applications under Strand 2 of the Priority.

Indicative Actions:

• Initiatives to provide high quality advice and counselling services for those most directly affected by the legacy of the conflict including support for those who work with the victims and survivors of the conflict.
• Actions to support high quality befriending and networking services to individuals, families and groups directly affected by the legacy of the conflict.
• Actions to provide respite services for individuals, families and groups affected by the legacy of the conflict.
• Actions to support those caring for vicitms and survivors of violence.
• Innovative initiatives to promote full reintegration of young people affected through family or community relationships affected by the conflict.
• Actions to increase access to practical skills, training and education designed to enhance economic reintegration of victims/survivors.
• Training for counsellors, trainers and other personnel on the needs of those directly affected by the legacy of the conflict, including the development of special skills required.
• Support of organisations responsible for the needs of the target groups including those working on a North/South and East/West basis.

Applicants to this priority will clearly have to demonstrate how proposed project activity will:

• Reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to
• Promote reconciliation

STRAND 3 - 'Securing the Future' (First round of applications closed 13th June) - update re second round to follow.

For project promoters in receipt of Letters of Offer, please find attached a template Partnership Agreement to be completed and submitted together with your Letter of Offer (if applicable). For further information if required please contact your Development Officer.

To access a template partnership agreement click here. 

Publicity guide for Lead Partners and Projects part-financed by the European Union European Regional Development Fund 2007-2013 click here

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