Daily Ireland ¤3/£2 Construction site in Derry City, the second part of a four site cross border development called the North West Technology Zone, funded by the European Union’s INTERREG IIIA programme. The sites will be high tech and linked by a high capacity telecoms link. Bringing people together for a common goal European Union funding delivered PEACE has provided an opportunity to a source of encouragement for us all as The Special EU Programmes Body is a through the PEACE and INTERREG work towards the shared goal of we move forward. North/South Implementation Body programmes has been instrumental in achieving a more peaceful and stable sponsored by the Department of Finance bringing people together from all walks society where diversity is accepted as Furthermore, the skills and experiences and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the of life towards the common goal of the norm, while INTERREG has helped gained over the past number of years Department of Finance in Ireland.The Body improved economic and social create cross-border partnerships that are now being shared with the newest was established on 2nd December 1999, conditions for society as a whole. continue to improve the social and members of the EU community as they under the Good Friday Agreement 1998 economic landscape of the border seek to overcome their own past, build and the British Irish Agreement, establishing Underpinning this has been a spirit of region. better societies and economies and implementing bodies.The Body reports to partnership – partnership between a work against the disadvantages of being the North/South Ministerial Council. variety of sectors, organisations, Creating and developing successful in border regions. government department, agencies and, partnerships is at the heart of the The Special EU Programmes Body’s fundamentally, between people. This SEUPB’s work in managing EU While we are all agreed that there is principal function is to act as the spirit of partnership has helped create structural funds in Northern Ireland still much to do within Northern Managing Authority for certain European genuine cross-border partnerships – a and the border counties of Ireland. Ireland and the Border Region, we must Union Structural Funds, such as the €182 theme that will set the tone for future Our experience is that real also take time to celebrate the success million INTERREG IIIA Programme, the EU European Union funding programmes. partnerships lead to engagement, achieved to date. As we focus on the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation participation and consultation which, in success of cross-border collaboration, (PEACE II and extension), worth over €994 Northern Ireland and the border turn, foster lasting trust. the EU will continue to play a crucial million, and other community initiatives. counties of Ireland provide impressive role in supporting our transition to a evidence of the success that can be The projects highlighted within this more socially and economically stable Further information on SEUPB and its achieved through the PEACE and magazine provide clear examples of society. activities can be obtained at INTERREG programmes. such partnerships in action and provide www.seupb.org The following honoress have been part-financed by the European Union Atlantic Drift Centre for Cross Border Studies Strabane-Lifford Development Commission Export Co-Operative Tyrone-Donegal Partnership Connecting Places, Peolple and Heritage Cross-Border Research Observatory Co-Operation Ireland Violence Against Women Knows No Borders East Border Region Tourism Kiosks Ballymacarrett Arts and Cultural Society Young Farmers Cross-Border Programme Newry and Dundalk Farmers’ Market NIPPA Digital Media Works Castleblaney Arts Centre INTERREG Cross Border Partnerships Oyster Farming Cross-Border Orchestra of Ireland Riverbrooke Easilift Bordervision Clones-Erne East Partnership Dunfield Castleblaney Community Enterprise PREP River Fane Disabled Angling Developments Ltd CAWT Trauma Recovery Network Glencree Centre Rural Men’s Project ank of Ireland is he Special EU t Daily Ireland delighted to be Programmes Body we believe in the old adage that involved in this is pleased to be A “your attitude B excellent initiative. As an T associated with this determines your altitude”. organisation which operates on both sides of the celebration of cross-border achievement. That’s why we, along with our partners, the border at the very hearts of our communities, we The success showcased within this magazine is a Special EU Programmed Body, Bank of Ireland, are very aware of the advantages that accrue tribute to the work carried out by everyone Cavan County Council and gasta.com, take our from close co-operation on a cross-border basis. committed to improving our social and economic hats off to the cross-border Top 50 we’re Indeed many of our customers will cite landscape through cross-border co-operation. honouring today. For, though representative of numerous examples of practical gains made by Each of the projects provides an insight into the all walks of life, they share in common a them through exploiting the opportunities partnerships that have been developed and the positive and confident attitude to the tasks of afforded by cross-border trade. environment of engagement, participation, trust wealth creation, bridge-building and Both parts of Ireland have strong and growing and respect that has been nurtured. They are community development. economies. The success of the Celtic Tiger has drawn from a number of areas including In fact, it’s their can-do attitude which is the been well documented for over a decade. business, the arts, sport and the voluntary and very cornerstone of their success. Their resolve Increasingly, good organisations from the North community sectors and serve as a source of to aim high was certainly needed in the past are taking advantage of opportunites this inspiration and encouragement to us all. when the border was a physical and growth offers. Northern-based firms have a well- The European Union’s PEACE and INTERREG psychological barrier to business and earned reputation for quality in goods and Programmes have demonstrated commitment to community relationships. However, the services and have found receptive customers in the transformation of society both socially and pioneers we’re honouring at this inaugural the South. Over the past ten years the economy economically for the people of Northern Ireland Celebration of Cross-Border Achievement don’t in the North has found a new confidence and has and the six border counties of the Republic of believe in letting barriers or borders get in the been highlighted as an opportunity by southern Ireland. way of progress. And, of course, the fact that firms. As we celebrate the success achieved to date, peace is putting down roots across the land This has resulted in a new approach for many we also recognise that there is still much to do if makes their job all the easier. viewing the island as one economy and it has we are to achieve our goal of a peaceful and The success of our newspaper group is based brought real prosperity to all – and as more more economically and socially stable society on respect, trust and praise for our readers and organisations follow the lead of these pioneers where diversity is accepted as the norm. for those who work with us. Sometimes, we all they will quickly start to reap the benefits. forget to show those same qualities to those But it is not all about business. Many areas such Pat Colgan uniquely talented individuals and groups – 50 as sport, arts, education and community Chief executive of whom will gather at the Slieve Russell on development have moved on in recent years Special EU Programmes Body March 3 – who go that extra mile to build up through recognising the benefits available from our communities. This celebration is all about thinking cross-border. putting that right by applauding the efforts of At Bank of Ireland we operate one of Ireland's our cross-border champions whose attitude has most extensive and inclusive sponsorship made them all high flyers. programmes covering all areas mentioned above. And these are the areas that really matter to our Máirtín Ó Muilleoir communities. Those who have led the growth Managing director in these areas on a cross-border basis have all Daily Ireland/Andersonstown News made major contributions to all of us living on Group this island. Their efforts and vision should acknowledged, encouraged and celebrated and we are happy to join with Daily Ireland in so Daily Ireland doing. Colm McKenna Head of Group Marketing Bank of Ireland Northern Ireland Editor: John Grant. Reporters: Michael Hall, Damian Carney, Colm Ó Broin, Tomaí Ó Conghaile, Ronan Scott, Barry Caldwell, John Monaghan. Photography: John Kelly, Michael Cooper, Ulster Herald, Newry Democrat, Sportsfile, Rally Ireland. Design: Adrian Hanna, Scott Silver, Clem Bradley. Front cover: Gerry Morrison. Advertising: Michelle Clarke ([email protected]) Printed by: Boylans, Drogheda, Co Louth. This magazine is published by the Andersonstown News Group and Daily Ireland. Phone: (048) 9060 8822. Email: [email protected] Copies of the magazine are available in pdf downloadable format at www.dailyireland.com. For additional print copies, call Connla Lawlor on (048) 9061 1916 or email [email protected]. The Celebrating Cross-Border Achievement Event in the Slieve Russell Hotel is organised by the Andersonstown News Group as part of its Top 50 Awards series. Other events planned for 2006 are the Top 50 Irish Speakers in Business, June 2006 (in partnership with Foinse), the Deloitte Developing Belfast Top 50 in September 2006 (in partnership with Northern Bank) and the Aisling Awards (in partnership with Bank of Ireland) in November 2006. March 2006 03 Aidan Campbell Castleblayney Community Enterprise Ltd n 1984 a group of community activists, Under chairman Aidan Campbell, the community- concerned about high unemployment in the based company has won plaudits as one of the most ICastleblayney area in Co Louth, set up enterprising and entrepreneurial ventures in Co Castleblayney Community Enterprise Ltd.