Council Celebrates Delivery of PEACE IV Programme

January 17, 2020

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council recently held a celebration event at Lagan Valley Island to mark the achievements of its PEACE IV programme and officially close its Local Action Plan. The Lisburn & Castlereagh PEACE IV Partnership delivered a £2.5 million plan to over 2,000 participants in the council area.

Project deliverers presented videos and presentations featuring the excellent work and achievements made over the lifetime of the programme. They also highlighted the cross community connections made through the various programmes and the positive impact it has made to the participants from across the council area.

The project is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

Speaking at the event, Councillor Jonathan Craig, Chair of the Lisburn Castlereagh PEACE IV Partnership, said, “The commitment of the PEACE IV Partnership and the project promoters is evident when you see the results and impact made possible by this EU support. Our Action Plan enabled groups to come together on a cross community basis to learn about each other, to talk, socialise and play together. I’m delighted we were able to present these peace building opportunities to our local communities and see what impact has been, and still is being, made.”

Congratulating the council on its work, Gina McIntyre CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) said: “I would like to congratulate the council on the excellent work they did delivering some core aspects of the EU’s PEACE IV Programme. They are amongst the first of the Local Authorities across the region to have completed their PEACE Action Plan. One third of the total value of the PEACE IV Programme is allocated to 17 local authorities located across Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland, due to their ability to identify and address local needs, and so ensure money reaches the communities directly.

“The work that has been delivered by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has made a tangible impact on local people, on a cross-community basis. It has assisted many citizen groups and organisations to take inclusive steps in the creation of a more cohesive society. I have seen this work first hand on many occasions, and they are all to be applauded,” she continued. 

Match funding for the project has been provided by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.