Finance Minister says partnership is the pathway to progress

Two evaluation reports which detail the significant role played by local district partnerships under the European Peace I Programme were released this week by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

The evaluation reports, compiled by the Belfast European Partnership Board, show how funds made available from the European Programme Peace I were distributed amongst local partnership programmes in Northern Ireland.

The objective behind the European Peace Programmes is to make a difference at grassroots level to communities suffering disadvantage as a result of the upheaval of the past 30 years.

Speaking at the report launch on Wednesday January 16, Minister for Finance and Personnel Dr Sean Farren said: “If I can single out one area of hardship at the moment it has to be north Belfast, where significant work by those on the ground – in particular with young people – is being made more difficult by the current sectarian unrest.

“Communities in that part of Belfast are in desperate need of a resolution of their difficulties. They need assistance and the Peace Programmes provide very real assistance. But until those with a sectarian agenda stop their activities in north Belfast, this work will be undermined and frustrated, and the cycle of misery perpetuated.”

Dr Farren said the current devolved administration is keen to see partnership become a sustainable part of the regional and local administration here:

“The Peace I Programme, the Belfast European Partnership, and the other Partnerships contributed significantly to this objective and brought about relationships which would not have been possible before. Peace II presents a new and distinct opportunity for developing sustainable partnership working.

“I am pleased to say that the 26 new Local Strategy Partnerships will allow local people to have a direct input to funding decisions and to influence local strategies and wider policy development. The new Northern Ireland Regional Partnership Board will ensure that the principles of partnership working are at the heart of the devolved administration, and that the Assembly and its Executive can work positively with partnerships at local level.

“The Programme for Government recognises that we cannot work in a vacuum. We need to work with other key stakeholders in society, from local government to the business, voluntary and community sectors.” (AMcE)