PEACE III - FUNDING

Peace III Small Grants Programme

The Peace III Programme aims to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation by assisting operations and projects, which help to reconcile communities and contribute towards a shared future for everyone.

The three Councils of North Down, Ards and Down District have come together and developed a local Peace Plan for the area and, as a result, have secured European assistance totalling approximately £2.7 million.

Almost 40% of this money is being made available for small grants schemes under each of the Peace Plan's nine priorities - or themes.

Applications can be made from Monday 9th March 2009, under 6 of the 9 themes.

They are:

• Theme II: Programmes which develop community capacity building
• Theme III: Enabling Cross Community Engagement
• Theme IV: Programmes which establish cross border linkages
• Theme V: Programmes which tackle racism
• Theme VI: Programmes which support representative, inclusive and effective decision making fora
• Theme VII: Programmes which support conflict resolution within and between communities
• Theme IX: Programmes which support mixed communities.

Closing date for applications is Friday 17th April at 4.30pm.

Workshops will also be taking place in each of the three Council areas to offer advice to potential applicants. The workshops will be held on:

• 16th March - Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, 7pm
• 18th March - Sketrick House, Newtownards, 11am
• 19th March, Signal Business Centre, Bangor, 7pm

Successful projects will have to demonstrate that they can achieve the aims, objectives and outputs detailed in the terms of reference for each of the Themes which are available to view/download here, along with an application form and guidance notes.

If you need further information contact Karine McGuckin, Economic Development Officer, Ards Borough Council, Tel: 028 9182 4025, E: karine.mcguckin@ards-council.gov.uk