Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation

The EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation

In response to political developments within Northern Ireland during 1994, notably cease-fire announcements by the IRA and the Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC), the European Union approved a Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland. The "Peace Package" which was formally agreed on 28 July 1995 sought to cement peace building activities and enhance grassroots projects by "promoting social inclusion of those at the margins of economic and social life" and through exploiting "the opportunities and addressing the needs arising from the peace process in order to boost economic growth and stimulate social and economic regeneration". (Strategic Objectives of the Programme)

The Research Branch at the CCRU (which is part of NISRA) is responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of project expenditure associated with the Peace Package. An extensive database was developed which holds information on all applications made to the Peace Package and project monitoring information is collected on all expenditure with respect to groups targeted, spatial distribution and jobs created. Information on aims, project descriptions and purpose of funding is also stored on the CCRU's database. At September 1998, the database contained information on 15,000 projects across a range of funding agencies (Government Departments, District Partnerships and Non-Governmental organisations involved in distributing funding) and with respect to differing proximity areas of funding such as promoting social inclusion, cross border development, urban and rural regeneration, employment and productive investment and industrial development.

The EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation which commenced in 1995 has an overall focus on issues which are relevant to the healing of communal divisions. It has a specific measure, "Promoting Pathways to Reconciliation", which focuses directly on community relations projects. This is administered by the Community Relations Council as an Intermediary Funding Body.

The EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation has a web site {external_link}.