N E W S R E L E A S E

Thursday 29 January

2004 PEACE PROGRAMME CELEBRATES SUCCESS

PEACE II celebrates the success of its funded projects with a special event in the City Hall, Belfast.

The PEACE II Programme has recognised and celebrated some of the 3,100 projects it now supports across Northern Ireland and the border region, at an event in Belfast’s City Hall.

A number of projects, considered exemplary in their approach to peace building and reconciliation, have been selected under themes that reflect the work of the PEACE II Programme, including Economic Development, Youth, Tourism, Women’s Projects, Rural Development and Training.

“This event allows the PEACE II Programme to acknowledge publicly and celebrate just some of the many interesting and varied projects which the Programme now supports,” says Nuala Kerr, Acting Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body, which oversees PEACE II.

“There’s no doubt that the PEACE II Programme has made a significant impact on the stability, economy and strength of communities across Northern Ireland and the border region and today’s event enables us to recognise the value of some of the excellent projects and initiatives that are making a real difference to peace building.” Nuala added.

The PEACE II Programme, which will allocate funding to projects until the end of 2004, has already committed over £425 million (€616 million) to projects across Northern Ireland and the border region.

ENDS

For further information please contact Debra Savage, Communications Manager, SEUPB on +44 (0) 28 9026 6691, mobile 07796 614605 or by email at debra.savage@seupb.org

NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Special EU Programmes Body is one of the six cross border Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement.

The Body’s remit includes operating as the Managing Authority for EU programmes: the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland (Peace II) and INTERREG IIIA. SEUPB is also responsible for the implementation of Common Chapter and for promoting cross-border co-operation.

The EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland is a special programme funded by the European Union and Northern Ireland and Irish Governments to the value of 707 million euro. The programme’s main aim is to promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties.