Over £400million EU funding will leave lasting legacy: Storey

Finance Minister Mervyn Storey says the £400million European Union funding programme will leave a lasting legacy in Northern Ireland.

The Finance Minister was joined by the Republic of Ireland’s Finance Minister Brendan Howlin, TD; Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Investment Keith Brown and Deša Srsen Head of Unit, European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy at the Special EU Programmes Body launch of the PEACE IV and INTERREG VA Programmes, at the Skainos Centre in East Belfast today. Both programmes are financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Speaking at the launch the Minister said: “PEACE IV and INTERREG VA will build on the achievements of the previous special EU programme by contributing further to the positive changes and improvement to the lives of local people.

“The £199million PEACE IV Programme, which has a strong emphasis on children and young people, will promote community cohesion while the £209million INTERREG VA Programme will offer even greater cross-jurisdictional benefits for Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

“The new streamlined application process is a welcome development that will reduce the administrative burden when applying for funding and in the delivery of the Programmes.

“I am confident that in PEACE IV and INTERREG VA we have two excellent Programmes that will complement each other and leave a lasting legacy with a strong focus on our young people.”

The PEACE IV Programme activity will take place in thematic areas of Shared Education, Children and Young People, Shared Spaces and Services and Building Positive Relations. The Shared Spaces and Services theme will include activity to enhance regional services for victims and survivors.

INTERREG VA will focus on areas around research and innovation, environmental protection, sustainable transport and health.

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is responsible for managing both programmes, which are designed to enhance cross border cooperation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society.

The first calls for applications under the INTERREG VA Programme have already opened. The PEACE IV Programme will open to applications in the coming weeks.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland. It is responsible for management of the EU PEACE and INTERREG cross border cooperation programmes.
2. The eligible area for the PEACE IV Programme is Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland, while the INTERREG VA eligible area also includes Western Scotland.
3. The INTERREG VA Programme and PEACE IV are cross-border budgets comprising 85% EU funding and 15% match funding.
4. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Finance and Personnel Communications Office on Tel: 028 9081 6724 or Tel: 028 9081 6895. Out of Office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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