An update on the European Union’s PEACE and INTERREG Programmes YOUR EU! SUMMER 2017
EU project improves water quality from ‘source to tap’
European Union
European Regional Development Fund Investing in a Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Future The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/ Contents South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland. The Body was established Project News on 2 December 1999, under the Agreement Page 4 A Wave of New Energy with €9.3m Bryden Centre Project between the Government of the United Page 5 €8.1m EU Investment in Cross-Border Environment Project Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Page 6 Funding Update for Victims and Survivors and the Government of Ireland (8 March 1999), which created the implementing Page 7 ‘Cleaning Up’ Cross-Border Water with EU Funding bodies.
Feature article The Special EU Programmes Body’s principal Pages 8 – 9 Changing Lives: New EU Funded Project to Support function is to provide the Managing Authority Children & Families with ADHD and Joint Secretariat functions for the PEACE IV and INTERREG VA Territorial Co-operation Programmes (2014-2020). It also has a News & Info signposting and supporting role for projects Page 10 SEUPB Attends Learning Camp for Young Entrepreneurs wanting to engage with the INTERREG VB Page 11 Derry City and Strabane District Council Celebrate Transnational and INTERREG VC EU Funding Award Inter-regional Programmes. Page 12 Brexit is the Talk of Dundalk Your EU! ISSN:1750-6700 Published by Page 13 SEUPB Launch New Corporate Website and Health and the Special EU Programmes Body Social Care Funding Call Open www.seupb.eu
To submit ideas, stories and photographs Project News for the next issue, please Page 14 Mid Ulster Benefits from £2.8m of PEACE IV Programme e-mail [email protected] Funding For additional copies of Your EU! or to Page 15 €4.6m of EU Funding Supports Environmental Recovery be added to the database to receive an Page 16 Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle to Benefit from electronic copy contact us by e-mail at [email protected] EU Funding Page 17 EU Funding Advances Manufacturing in North West Editorial and Production Management: Page 18 Council Welcomes £4.2m EU Funding John McCandless Page 19 Belfast Met welcomes €9.39m Funding for Energy Copy Writing: John McCandless Sustainability Project Design: Page Setup This magazine is printed by Impro Printing Ltd.
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2 YourEU! SUMMER 2017 Welcome to the summer edition of Your EU!
As we move through the summer £13.4m PEACE IV funding to support months both PEACE IV and the health and wellbeing of victims INTERREG VA projects have also and survivors of the troubles/conflict. successfully moved through their In this edition you will find updates assessment phases and are on the progress of these projects, beginning to launch. with interviews from the Victims and Survivors Service and Aileen The INTERREG VA Programme is O’Donoghue, CEO of the Changing almost entirely committed and Lives Initiative, which will support significant work is well underway in children and families affected by the assessment of applications under ADHD through the adoption of PEACE IV, with multi-million euro revolutionary early intervention projects being appraised under the treatments. ‘Shared Spaces’ and ‘Regional Level’ objectives of the Programme. Being invited to attend project launches and meet the people Recent awards under INTERREG VA involved in the delivery of the stakeholders. It is easier to navigate include a significant investment of projects is one of the most rewarding and contains a wealth of information over €20m for a number of aspects of the job. Since the about the Programmes we manage. environmental projects. publication of our last edition I have attended a number of project I sincerely hope that you enjoy this These ground-breaking projects launches under the PEACE IV edition of Your EU and welcome any include; ‘Source to Tap’, which will Programme, including those in feedback you may have as to its significantly improve the freshwater Newry, Mourne and Down District content. quality within the Derg and Erne Council, Mid Ulster Council and Derry catchment areas and CABB, and Strabane District Council. Gina McIntyre (Co-operating Across Borders for Chief Executive, SEUPB Biodiversity), which will help recover INTERREG VA Programme launches protected habitats (active raised and have included the environmental blanket bog), and priority species projects SWELL (Shared Waters (breeding waders and marsh fritillary) Enhancement and Loughs Agency) at key sites across Northern Ireland, and ‘Source to Tap’. the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland. It is also a very exciting time for the SEUPB corporately as we have In our last edition we reported on a launched our brand new website. number of funding awards, including After much consultation and approximately €47.5m of INTERREG extensive design work we feel that VA funding to eight cross-border the new site will be much more health and social care projects and responsive to the needs of our
SUMMER 2017 YourEU! 3 A Wave of New Energy with €9.3m Bryden Centre Project
€9.3 million of EU INTERREG VA Programme funding has been offered to Queen’s University Belfast for the ‘Bryden Centre for Advanced Marine and Bio-Energy Research’ project, which will create a ‘virtual centre of competence’ to support cross- border research into bio-energy and marine-based renewable energy sources.
The project will create the largest amount of cross-border research in Celebrating the official launch of the €9.3m EU funded ‘Bryden Centre’ project this specific area to date, recruiting are (l-r) Dr Dermot Leonard, Head of Business Alliance, Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body, Sam McCloskey, Director of CASE Centre for 34 PhD students and six post- Advanced Sustainable Energy and Professor James McElnay, Acting Vice Chancellor doctoral research associates to Queen’s University, Belfast. produce industry relevant research which has the potential for strong on Renewable Energy is a very of industry-relevant Research & commercial benefit. Research will worthwhile project and this work will Innovation within the renewable include the use of tidal power at contribute many benefits, including a energy sector. The Bryden Centre Strangford Lough and the North long term legacy for the future.” project will help address this issue by Antrim Coast and the potential for creating a new centre of competence wave and tidal power generation in The Bryden Centre was named to made up of dedicated PhD students Donegal, with findings benefiting pay tribute to the dedication of the creating high quality research with many SME’s struggling to enhance late Professor Ian Bryden, who was a strong commercial potential.” their innovation capacity within the leading expert in marine renewable renewable energy sector. energy. With over 30 years of “This is one of the core objectives of research experience in energy and the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme Welcoming the project Ireland’s hydrodynamics, and a wealth of as it has allocated a total of €71.7 Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and knowledge gained acting as million worth of funding to enhance Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Vice-Principal (Research) at the and develop the Research & said: “I am delighted that my University of the Highlands and Innovation capacity of businesses on Department is co-funding this Islands, Mr Bryden played an both sides of the border.” initiative together with our instrumental role in developing the counterpart Department in Northern project that now bears his name. Match-funding for the project has Ireland. The project involves practical been provided by the Department of cross-border cooperation which will Discussing the funding award Gina Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in benefit colleges and companies from McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB, Ireland and the Department for the both jurisdictions. Advanced research reflected: “The region has a low level Economy in Northern Ireland.
4 YourEU! SUMMER 2017 €8.1m EU Investment in Cross- Border Environment Project
€8.1m has been offered under Discussing the funding, SEUPB’s designed to support the creation of a the INTERREG VA Programme to CEO Gina McIntyre said: “This project more sustainable and prosperous support the development of a brings together a range of partners cross-border region.” new cross-border environmental with an impressive depth of project that will protect experience in the field of Match-funding for the project has endangered species and restore environmental protection. By working been provided by the Department of natural habitats. in collaboration with each other they Agriculture, Environment and Rural will be able to make a real and Affairs in Northern Ireland, the Called CANN (Collaborative Action for lasting difference on both sides of Department of Housing, Planning, the Natura Network) the project will the border.” Community and Local Government in be led by Newry, Mourne and Ireland along with Scottish Natural Down District Council and will “This approach is reflective of the Heritage. include a consortium of leading core objective of the EU’s INTERREG government, local authorities, VA Programme, which has been research institutions, community groups and charities from across the region.
Overall, CANN will produce seven species action plans and 25 conservation action plans covering over 25,000 hectares of land designated as being a ‘Special Area of Conservation’.
A number of education and outreach programmes will help increase awareness of potential threats to natural habitats and endangered species and will assist local communities in gaining ownership over their impact on natural habitats.
The protection of habitats and species within the projects jurisdictions will allow the region to Pictured announcing €8.1 million worth of EU INTERREG VA funding for the meet targets set under the EU’s Birds cross-border environmental CANN project are (left) Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick, and Habitats Directives along with Chairperson for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive Officer of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
SUMMER 2017 YourEU! 5 Funding Update for Victims and Survivors
In late 2016 £13.4m was Resilience Programme with over survivors have access to high quality awarded under the PEACE IV 1,000 planned resilience services and support that will meet Programme to support the health interventions and establish Research, their complex and growing needs.” and wellbeing of over 17,000 Regulation and Standards in line with victims and survivors of the national and international best “In addition, it will support victims troubles/conflict on a cross- practice to ensure victims and and survivors engaging with new and border basis. survivors are receiving quality existing bodies involved in historical services in a consistent and standard investigations and narrative Delivered by the Victims and way irrelevant of location. associated with the conflict/ Survivors Service (VSS), the project troubles.” will benefit a total of 17,650 victims Commenting on the project the CEO and survivors and members of their of the VSS Margaret Bateson said: The project is due to be launched in families across Northern Ireland and “Through this invaluable funding the the autumn and match-funding has the Border Region of Ireland. VSS are delighted to be able to been provided by the Executive provide support to 16 community Office in Northern Ireland and the The project will; provide an Advocacy and voluntary organisations across Department for Rural and Community Support Programme delivered by 25 the region to employ Health and Development. trained advocacy workers to 6,300 Wellbeing Case Workers and beneficiaries; create a Network of Advocacy Support Workers. This Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers to new and innovative network will play assist 11,360 individuals; develop a a key role in ensuring victims and
6 YourEU! SUMMER 2017 ‘Cleaning Up’ Cross-Border Water with EU Funding
The highly innovative cross- border project ‘Source to Tap’, which will improve freshwater quality within river basins in the Derg and Erne catchment areas, has been offered €4.9m as part of the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme.
In partnership with NI Water, Irish Water, Agri-Food Biosciences Institute, Ulster University, East Border Region and The Rivers Trust, the project will explore sustainable, cost effective measures to reduce pollution in shared catchments, and secure safe drinking water sources, ensuring compliance with the EU’s Drinking Water Directive.
‘Source to Tap’ will work with Pictured (l-r) celebrating the €4.9 million EU INTERREG VA funding offer for the Source to Tap project are Head of Quality and Compliance Dymphna Gallagher at farmers and other land managers NI Water; Chief Executive Officer Gina McIntyre at the SEUPB; and Environmental to help reduce the volume of Strategy Lead Trudy Higgins at Irish Water. pesticide and soil filtering into the watercourse and will also pilot solutions will be created that can “This project will safeguard our measures with forestry operators to be shared across Northern Ireland, drinking water through a series of reduce water pollution caused by the Border Region of Ireland and new and creative practices, forestry felling and replanting Western Scotland. developed on a cross-border basis. operations. This collaborative-based approach Commenting on the benefits of the lies at the very heart of what the EU’s In addition, the project aims to proposed project SEUPB’s CEO Gina INTERREG VA Programme has been restore 135 hectares of land McIntyre said: “Both Ireland and designed to achieve.” adjacent to watercourses back to Northern Ireland share a large natural peat habitat. Such measures number of freshwater river basins Match-funding for the project has will naturally filter the water and which provide quality drinking water been provided by the Department of reduce the amount of silt entering for an ever-growing population. It is Agriculture, Environment and Rural watercourses. therefore of mutual benefit to ensure Affairs in Northern Ireland and the that this precious resource is Department of Housing, Planning, As a direct result of the project protected now, and for future Community and Local Government sustainable catchment management generations.” in Ireland.
SUMMER 2017 YourEU! 7
Changing Lives: New EU Funded Project to Support Children & Families with ADHD
According to reports, behavioural to Aileen O’Donaghue, CEO of the and mental health disorders projects lead partner Clondalkin ‘have become a public crisis and Behavioural Initiative Ltd – Archways by 2020 are likely to surpass Ireland, to learn more about it. physical illnesses as major causes of disability’. Tell us, what’s the project about? “The project is called The Changing The dramatic rise in Attention Deficit Lives Initiative and will develop a new Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) early intervention service for families reflects this trend. with a child (aged anywhere between three and seven) with a pattern of ADHD is the chronic, debilitating behaviour consistent with Aileen O’Donaghue, CEO of the projects lead partner Clondalkin childhood disorder which has a Hyperkinetic disorder/ ADHD. Behavioural Initiative Ltd – Archways substantial effect on many aspects of Particular focus will be on those from Ireland. a child’s life, from family and school disadvantaged areas in Louth, West life to their social environments. It is Belfast and Argyll and Bute.” medication and the lack of non- characterised by considerably high pharmaceutical treatment options levels of impulsivity, hyperactivity and Who is involved? available to them. In talking with inattention. “We are extremely lucky to have them and providing a high quality developed some fantastic cross- parenting programme they noted Medication is currently the standard border relationships through our very positive results.” form of treatment. This treatment is previous work. We are pleased to be not effective in all cases. working in partnership with the “These issues were also identified by Dundalk Institute of Technology, the our cross-border colleagues. Based In recent times international Louth Leader Partnership, NHS on our collective experience, when guidelines have called for the Highland: Argyll and Bute Health and the EU funding call went out we adoption of high quality parenting Social Care Partnership and the Colin submitted our application based on programmes to be deployed as the Neighbourhood Partnership.” the earlier research that had been first step in the treatment of children conducted”. diagnosed with ADHD. How did the project develop? “A couple of years ago we undertook What’s significant about it? A new and innovative project, which a pilot programme for parents with a “There is a real need to increase the will work towards placing parenting child with ADHD. It was clear that current treatment options. In the programmes firmly on the ‘treatment parents were concerned about South there is a long waiting list, with map’, has been awarded over €2m supporting their children effectively over 30% of children being referred under the EU INTERREG VA with many expressing fears over the to the Child and Adolescent Mental Programme. Your EU recently spoke possibility of their children going on Health Service (CAMHS) for ADHD.
8 YourEU! SUMMER 2017
Changing Lives: New EU Funded Project to Support Children & Families with ADHD
These figures are mirrored in Northern 560 families will progress from the How will you measure the Ireland and Scotland. screening test to participate in a 20 success of the project? week ‘Incredible Years ADHD Parent “The project will include a If we can take children out of that Programme’. This has been comprehensive evaluation including system, even bring that figure down to specifically designed to clinically pre and post testing and a process 10%, with the remaining 20% having treat children with ADHD symptoms and cost effectiveness evaluation. successfully undertaken a community and will include sessions dealing with In the second year of the project we based non-pharmaceutical treatment, problem solving, anger management will hold a major conference to we will provide not only a beneficial and parental stress. disseminate the findings.” alternative to medication but also a much more accessible, cost effective 50 professional teachers and early If you could jump forward 10 years, option for families.” year providers will participate in an what would you hope to see? extensive training programme to “I hope that this project will develop a You talked about different increase their awareness of ADHD. momentum, engaging people’s initiatives, what will these be? This training cannot be accessed interests and build enthusiasm for “The project is really a two pronged anywhere else and will hopefully looking at new services to address this approach: upskilling parents and improve the referral system. issue. I want it to have an impact on upskilling early year providers and how local health services meet the teachers. For children who don’t benefit from needs of children with ADHD. We want the programme referrals to CAMHS to convince government’s that there is An information and awareness or other appropriate services will a better, lower cost way to deliver programme will be rolled out to 2,000 be made.” services to children with ADHD.” families, and will consist of modules covering the symptoms of ADHD, current treatment approaches and the adoption of parenting strategies.
A screening programme involving 1,400 families will test if children have hyperkinetic disorder, with an information and support service provided to those who have tested below the threshold required for an assessment of ADHD. Where appropriate, referrals will be made to appropriate community services for 2,000 families, with a child diagnosed with Hyperkinetic Disorder (a strong indicator of ADHD) are set to benefit from the project. those who fall beneath this threshold.
SUMMER 2017 YourEU! 9 SEUPB Attends Learning Camp for Young Entrepreneurs
In March SEUPB attended The project’s partners include visits (including one to a thriving NILGA’s (Northern Ireland universities, local and regional outlying enterprise area in the Kerry Local Government Association) authorities, entrepreneurship support region), project partner meetings, All Island Learning Camp organisations and SMEs, all of whom talks and networking events. conference. work together to share knowledge that will build better services and NILGA have been working hard to The event, ‘Pathways for Young regional policies in support of foster programme level development Entrepreneurs in Outlying Areas’, start-ups. around young and municipal brought together representatives entrepreneurship and in 2015 from across Northern Ireland and the Learning camps are a key element of achieved the “European Kerry regions and was part of the the project, bringing together project Entrepreneurial Region of the Year flagship iEER project, funded by the partners to study best practice and Award”, an accolade that EU’s INTERREG VA Programme. identify what makes or breaks is bestowed upon the most budding businesses. outstanding strategies that foster The project, involving 10 regions, entrepreneurship and promote was developed in pursuit of one goal, During NILGA’s five-day learning innovation among small and medium to significantly boost ecosystems in camp participants took part in a enterprises (SMEs). regions for young entrepreneurs. number of workshops, best practice
Young entrepreneurs were the topic of conversation at NILGA’s recent ‘All Island Learning Camp’ conference event.
10 YourEU! SUMMER 2017 Derry City and Strabane District Council Celebrate EU Funding Award
Derry City and Strabane District Council celebrated its receipt of £6.1m worth of EU funding under the PEACE IV Programme with a special launch event in the Waterfoot Hotel, Derry- Londonderry, at the end of June.
The ‘Café Culture’ style half-day conference was attended by community and youth organisations, volunteers and individuals throughout the Council’s immediate cross-border areas.
Welcomed by Mayor Maolíosa The Mayor, Councillor Maoliosa McHugh, pictured at the launch of the SEUPB McHugh, delegates ‘visited’ 12 PEACE IV funding offer, with (l-r) Kevin O’Connor, Head of Business DCSDC, specific PEACE IV Programme round Sue Divin Programme Manager PEACE IV, Gearoid O hEara, Co-Chair PEACE IV tables, where they were able to learn Partnership Board, Gina McIntyre, CEO, SEUPB, John Kelpie, Chief Executive Derry and Strabane District Council and Alderman Drew Thompson, Co-Chair PEACE IV more about the various aspects of Partnership Board. the Programme and how to engage and benefit from it. “Representing the public, private and with local communities and includes Gina McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB, community sectors this partnership is grant aid opportunities for local was herself a guest speaker on the ideally placed to ensure that EU community organisations and day and provided a detailed insight funding is invested within tendered programmes with into the history and impact of the community-based projects that will community and youth impact, as well PEACE Programme to delegates. make real and lasting change,” as a number of council led initiatives During her speech she reflected: she continued. for children and young people, sports development, capital works, “Local authority-led partnership Also speaking on the day was John community planning and community played a key role within the previous Kelpie, Chief Executive of Derry City development. Peace funding is PEACE Programme, in terms of and Strabane District Council, who strongly focused on reconciliation, ensuring that money was distributed stressed the importance of this EU challenging prejudice and promoting at a local level, where it could make funding for those across the “entire understanding of diversity and good the most impact. As such they will council area from rural areas, towns relations.” play a similar role under the new and villages and in the city.” PEACE IV Programme, for the Derry City and Strabane District He went on to note: “Our programme Council area.” was developed in direct consultation
SUMMER 2017 YourEU! 11 Brexit is the Talk of Dundalk
SEUPB’s Chief Executive 2011 between Louth Council and Officer, Gina McIntyre, recently Newry and Mourne District Council contributed to a special ‘Brexit – which then marked a major step and its Border Implications’ forward in promoting cross-border conference in Dundalk, reflecting partnership in the border region. on peace building and cross- community capacity building Upon the request of the across the region. Committee the SEUPB also invited representatives from the EU PEACE III The invitation to speak came from funded Castlesauderson International Michael Smyth (Vice President) of the Scout Centre to speak at the end of European Economic and Social the conference. Committee (EESC). The Committee is a consultative body that gives Officially opened in 2012, the centre representatives of Europe’s socio- has been used to bring thousands of occupational interest groups and young people together who ordinarily others a formal platform to express would never have been given Mr Luca Jahier speaking at the event. their points of views on EU issues. the opportunity to interact with Its opinions are forwarded to the someone of a different background. Council, the European Commission Acting as a ‘shared space’, it has and the European Parliament. helped to forge new and positive “This is now the time and relationships with young people responsibility of civil society, local Gina McIntyre’s intervention at the on a cross-community and cross- government and citizens to become event was chaired by Jane Morrice, a border basis. more involved in the Brexit debate. long standing member of the It is you who will drive change, with Committee with many years Speaking at the event Mr Luca bottom-up initiatives which respect experience of the Northern Ireland Jahier, President of the Various the opinions and rights of local peace-building process. After her Interests Group of the Council, said: people. As another one of your presentation Gina participated in a “One thing is certain; most of the famous literary figures, Oscar Wilde, panel discussion with Seamus consequences of Brexit will be felt by stated: The world is a stage, but the McAleavey, Chief Executive of NICVA smaller actors such as SMEs, play is badly cast. It is time for some and John Patrick Clayton, from families, individuals and locale new actors.” UNISON NI. The theme of the communities. What of the Rights of discussion was ‘Peace, Communities individuals? Employment rights, and the Role of the EU’. consumer, safety, all the EU rights that UK citizens enjoy as a result of The location of the event held EU Membership? How will these important significance, having being rights be upheld post EU the place where the ‘New Cross membership?” Border Agreement’ was signed in
12 YourEU! SUMMER 2017 SEUPB Launch New Corporate Website
After months of hard work the SEUPB has finally launched its brand new corporate website. The new look website features information on past and current programmes, latest news and events and links to its social media channels. It will provide users with an easier to follow navigation system and contain regular updates on the delivery of both the PEACE IV and The new SEUPB corporate website will provide users with all the latest developments INTERREG VA Programmes. and updates.
Speaking about the work that went into the development of this website SEUPB’s ICT Manager Michael Tsang information had to be gathered and it looks and I know it will make a real commented: “The development and pulled together, as well as running difference to promoting the work of integration of this new website was a rigorous testing.” the SEUPB in terms of telling people complex task. Our previous website about the benefits of EU funding.” was about 10 years old, so a lot of “I’m very pleased and proud of how
Health and Social Care Funding Call Open
The second funding call under support services for socially isolated The call will close at 3pm on the ‘Health and Social Care’ disabled people of all ages. Tuesday 19th September 2017. objective of the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme officially SEUPB recently held a workshop in For more information visit: opened on 18th July. Belfast which provided potential https://seupb.nics.gov.uk/ applicants with more information on iva-funding-call-information. The call is worth €12.4m and will what the call entailed and how to help to positively transform the apply. The event was attended by a health and well-being of thousands large number of representatives from of people across the region. the health and social care industry across Northern Ireland, Ireland and The call relates to cross-border Scotland. Second funding call open interventions to prevent ill health and for Health and Social Care.
SUMMER 2017 YourEU! 13 Mid Ulster Benefits from £2.8m of PEACE IV Programme Funding
Mid Ulster Council recently held “I am delighted to be able to relationships built on mutual trust, a launch event to announce help celebrate the EU funded work respect and understanding.” the award of £2.8m of funding that will be undertaken by Mid Ulster under the PEACE IV Programme District Council. Also speaking at the launch was to support its efforts in building Councillor Kim Ashton, Chair of Mid peace and reconciliation. The PEACE Programme is unique Ulster District Council, and a member across Europe and represents a of the Mid Ulster PEACE IV Over 100 local people gathered lot more than just financial support. Partnership, who noted: to learn about the programme which It will help to create strong included details on how it will be partnerships with many different “The PEACE IV programme has the implemented over the course of its groups and organisations, who community at its core and this three year period, beginning with a by working together, will reinforce substantial allocation of funding will small grants application programme for peace and stability across bring real benefits to local people the voluntary and community sector. the region. across Mid Ulster, whether through Council-led initiatives, or through Speaking at the launch event Gina This is one of the key benefits of the others delivered by one of our McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB, said: programme as it creates new community partners.”
Representatives of the Mid Ulster District Council PEACE IV Partnership at the launch of the Mid Ulster PEACE IV programme, from (l-r) Councillor Denise Mullen, Martin Fahy, Ruth McKelvey, Councillor Sean McPeake, Gina McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB, Loraine Griffin, Stephen Crabbe, Councillor Derek McKinney, Conor Corr. On the steps – Councillor Trevor Wilson, Seamus Donnelly and Michael Dallat.
14 YourEU! SUMMER 2017 €4.6m of EU Funding Supports Environmental Recovery
€4.6m has been offered under the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme for an innovative environmental project that will help recover natural habitats and protect vulnerable species on a cross-border basis.
Called CABB (Co-operation across Borders for Biodiversity) the project will be managed by nature conversation charity RSPB Northern Ireland and will bring together a number of specialist environmental groups, agencies and charities from across Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Pictured (l-r) celebrating a European Union INTERREG VA funding offer worth Western Scotland in support of €4.6m for the CABB (Co-operating across Borders & Biodiversity) project are Caroline Marshall Fundraising Manager with RSPB Northern Ireland, Joanne environmental recovery. Sheerwood Director RSPB Northern Ireland and Gina McIntyre CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Targeting priority sites across the three countries, these agencies will hands-on measures from blocking protect species like hen harrier, work together to identify and address drains on some of the last remaining golden plovers, curlews and marsh common concerns facing our natural areas of blanket bog on the Garron fritillary butterflies. It will also help world, including the threats posed Plateau and in the Ox Mountains; conserve rich habitats like blanket to important habitats and to restoring quality habitat. bog and fen wetland across differing endangered wildlife. areas including the Antrim Hills, the In addition, the project will provide Pettigo area of Ireland and the Commending the funding, Gina advice to landowners on how best to Muirkirk uplands of Scotland. McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB, noted: manage land for the marsh fritillary “This project represents a unique butterfly at Montiaghs Moss ASSI/ Match-funding for the project has consortium of charities, specialist Special Area of Conservation; cut been provided by the Department of non-governmental organisations, rush in lowland meadows to provide Agriculture, Environment and Rural statutory agencies and volunteers, areas for remaining waders to breed Affairs in Northern Ireland, the who by working in partnership, will and will consolidate a sea wall at Department of Housing, Planning, help to overcome issues of real Loch Gruinart SSSI which will support Community and Local Government in environmental concern.” corncake and large populations of Ireland, RSPB Scotland and Mines breeding waders. Restoration Ltd. In total, the project will develop eight conservation action plans, detailing These actions will significantly help
SUMMER 2017 YourEU! 15 Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle to Benefit from EU Funding
€3.28m has been offered wastewater treatment facilities within Speaking about the funding Gina under the EU’s INTERREG VA the Carlingford Lough drainage basin in McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB noted: Programme to deliver the Newry, Mourne & Down and Louth “Environmental issues do not ‘SWELL’ project (The Shared council areas and the Lough Foyle recognise nor respect international Waters Enhancement and Loughs drainage basin, comprising Derry City boundaries. Therefore it is essential Legacy), which will improve & Strabane and Donegal council areas. that they are tackled on a cross- water quality within the shared border basis.” waters of Carlingford Lough and Upon conclusion, the project will have Lough Foyle. contributed towards improving the “By treating each Lough catchment status and regional compliance with as a single ecosystem, which is For the first time ever, the project will the EU’s Water Framework Directive impacted by polluters on both sides bring together key state-owned water (WFD), in respect of transitional and of the border, this project is truly companies from Northern Ireland (NI coastal waters found in Carlingford collaborative in nature. As such it will Water) and Ireland (Irish Water), and Lough and Lough Foyle. It will also create a model of co-operation that in partnership with the Agri-Food & have driven a common approach can be used as a foundation for any Biosciences Institute, the Loughs to the management of water future improvement projects for our Agency and East Border Region Ltd, resources. shared waters,” she continued. will utilise best practice and tap into individual areas of expertise to Importantly, the project will leave a Match-funding for the project has effectively achieve its goals. unique ‘legacy’ model, which for the been provided by the Department of first time will link various aspects of Housing, Planning, Community and The project will be implemented in environmental modelling and will be Local Government in Ireland and the two phases. Phase one, the carried out in the catchments of the Department of Agriculture, development of a baseline catchment respective loughs. The legacy model Environment and Rural Affairs in area investigation and the production will assist regulatory bodies on both Northern Ireland. of detailed plans to support future sides of the border to best identify investments to achieve the approaches to achieving further programme outlines, will be delivered improvements in water quality. within this batch of funding.
The project has the potential to unlock €32m of support from the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, as part of the projects second phase, which will help improve wastewater treatment assets, benefitting 10,000 people on a cross-border basis.
The additional funding will be used in Members of East Border Region Committee with Cathaoirligh of Louth County Council & Newry Mourne & Down District Council. the upgrade and construction of
16 YourEU! SUMMER 2017 EU Funding Advances Manufacturing in North West
The EU’s INTERREG VA Programme has offered €8.5m to Catalyst Inc for the creation of a new cross-border ‘super cluster’ within the Health & Life Sciences business sector.
The project, called the ‘North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing’, will support eight different Health & Life Sciences companies from across the North West and will be involved in 15 different research projects, developing new products and processes.
Pictured (l-r) celebrating a €8.5 million funding award from the EU’s INTERREG VA The project aims to enhance the level Programme for the ‘North West Advanced Manufacturing’ project is Dr Norman of cross-border research and Apsley OBE, CEO of Catalyst Inc; Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes innovation collaboration within the Body (SEUPB) and Philip Maguire, Director of Finance & Administration with Catalyst Inc. area of applied advanced manufacturing and increase competitiveness by growing the companies. This will create up to Manufacturing has been a key sector number of Health & Life Science 98.5 years’ worth of PhD full time for us over the years, providing businesses engaged in commercially equivalent research. valuable jobs and investment. focused research. Match-funding for the project has This new initiative will help drive The ‘super cluster’ will include the been provided by the Department of competitiveness and enhanced Engineering Research Institute at Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in value-added, at a time of significant Ulster University, the James Watt Ireland, the Department for the technological change in the Nanofabrication Centre at Glasgow Economy in Northern Ireland and the industry.” University, the PEM Centre at Sligo University of Glasgow. Institute of Technology and the CoLab facility at the Letterkenny Institute of Ireland’s Minister for Jobs, Enterprise Technology. and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor, also welcomed the project A total of 26 PhD level researchers, noting: “It is a great example of along with post-doctoral research practical cross-border cooperation, assistants, will be recruited over the which will bring strong economic lifetime of the project to work benefits to the eligible regions in alongside the eight participating both jurisdictions.
SUMMER 2017 YourEU! 17 Council Welcomes £4.2m EU Funding
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council recently welcomed £4.2m worth of EU funding for the PEACE IV Local Authority Action Plan ‘Beyond Tolerance’.
The action plan will actively promote peace and reconcilliation in the local area and will focus on three key themes: ‘Children and Young People’, ‘Shared Spaces and Services’ and ‘Building Positive Relations’.
The funding will be used in the delivery of local community initiatives for children and young people Celebrating the award of £4.2m in EU funding for the PEACE IV Local Authority Action Plan ‘Beyond Tolerance’ are (l-r) Aimee Boyd, Deputy Chairperson of PEACE involving sport, arts, culture and IV Partnership; Michael Lipsett, Director of Active and Healthy Communities language. It will also help make NMDDC; Councillor Michael Ruane, Chairperson of PEACE IV Partnership; Councillor public space in cities, towns and William Clarke, Deputy Chairperson Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; Ciaran Hanna, Programme Officer SEUPB; Kerry Morrison, The Executive Office, villages more inclusive, facilitate Programmes Manager PEACE IV & District Council Good Relations and Janine Hillen, programmes for shared space and Assistant Director of Active and Healthy Communities NMDDC. will support conflict resolution activities. for the process of peace and process. The benefit of the reconciliation”. programme is not just about the Speaking upon announcement of the financial assistance it provides, it is award Roisin Mulgrew, Chairperson The action plan will effectively meet also about the partnerships that it of Newry, Mourne and Down District the PEACE IV Programmes core creates between all of the different Council, proudly welcomed the objectives; to increase the community and voluntary groups in funding and advised that it would percentage of people who think receipt of support.” “…build positive relations locally relations between Protestants and through the delivery of a wide range Catholics have improved and to She continued: “These partnerships, of exciting initiatives that are focused increase cultural awareness of build relationships between groups on reconciliation, challenging minority ethnic communities. who may never have worked with prejudice and promoting diversity each before and will result in and good relations. This is a very Echoing these words of support Gina meaningful contact between people welcome boost for our local McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB said: from different communities and in communities and the support “The PEACE Programme is unique. doing so encourage greater levels of provided by the EU under PEACE IV is It exists nowhere else in Europe and peace and reconciliation in the a most welcome signal of the was created as a direct result of the region.” European Union’s continued support EU’s desire to support the peace
18 YourEU! SUMMER 2017 Belfast Met Welcomes €9.39m Funding for Energy Sustainability Project
Belfast Met has been offered energy technology can be applied to enable todays industry to deliver €9.39m of Interreg North West many arenas including energy tomorrows energy requirements…” Europe funding for the Gencomm storage, transport and distributed project, which will aim to answer power generation, illustrating how In delivering the project Belfast Met the energy sustainability Europe can proactively manage the will work in conjunction with 9 challenges facing remote intermittent character of universities and private companies communities across North-West renewables.” across Europe: National University of Europe through the production Ireland Galway (ROI), University and storage of renewable Marie-Thérèse McGivern, Principal Institut National des Sciences hydrogen. and Chief Executive of Belfast Met, Appliquées Rouen Normandie highlighted the importance of the (France), IZES gGmbH (Germany) Belfast Met is the first College of funding for the project noting: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium); Further and Higher Education in “Gencomm opens the latest chapter ENSICAEN – CNRS (France); Pure Northern Ireland to secure Interreg in the Further Education sector; a Energy Centre (Scotland) and three North-West Europe Programme chapter where FE is recognised as further NI organisations; Viridian, funding and this is one of the largest the primary conduit to deliver the TK Renewables, and Williams EU projects ever secured by an technological skills mix required to Industrial Services. Northern Ireland led Partnership.
The project will develop three pilot facilities fuelled by Solar Power, Wind Power and Bioenergy to measure their ability to produce and store hydrogen, together with its viability as a sustainable energy solution for heat, power and fuel for communities across North-West Europe.
Describing the project Paul McCormack (Project Manager) stated: “Hydrogen, as a clean energy carrier and storage medium has great potential to help fight carbon dioxide emissions….The GenComm project will demonstrate how Announcing the launch of the Gencomm project (l-r) are Peter Smyth (Gencomm hydrogen technologies can play a Finance Manager); Damian Duffy (Director of Development, Belfast Met); Marie- significant role in a new, cleaner Therese McGivern (Principal & Chief Executive, Belfast Met); Glenny Whitley (Gencomm Operations & Communications Manager) and Paul McCormack energy system for Europe. The (Gencomm Project Manager). project will prototype how renewable
SUMMER 2017 YourEU! 19 Programme Summaries and SEUPB Contacts
PEACE IV INTERREG VA INTERREG VB Transnational The Atlantic Area The €270m PEACE Programme The €283m INTERREG Programmes Programme 2014-2020 is a unique Programme 2014-2020 has The SEUPB has a role in The programme aims to achieve Structural Funds programme been designed to address many promoting North/South progress on transnational aimed at reinforcing progress of the developmental problems participation in the relevant co-operation that is geared towards a peaceful and stable which are exacerbated by the INTERREG VB Transnational towards cohesive, sustainable society in Northern Ireland and existence of borders, in order Programmes. and balanced territorial the Border Region of Ireland. to build upon opportunities for development of the Atlantic Area enhanced economic and social These programmes are: and its maritime heritage. The The Programme’s key development across the region. programme region covers all objectives are: The Northern Periphery and of Ireland and Northern Ireland, - Shared Education The Programme’s key Arctic (NPA) Programme and those regions within - Children & Young People priorities are: This €56million ERDF Portugal, Spain, France and - Shared Spaces & Services - Research & Innovation programme aims to help the UK that border the Atlantic - Building Positive Relations - Environment peripheral and remote Ocean. The SEUPB works in an - Sustainable Transport communities in the northern advisory and signposting role. The eligible area for the - Health regions of Europe to develop Programme is Northern Ireland their economic, social and INTERREG EUROPE and the Border Region of Ireland The targeted eligible area is environmental potential. The programme area involves Programme (counties Cavan, Donegal, Northern Ireland, the Border The €359 million ERDF parts of Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan Region of Ireland (Counties INTERREG VC Inter-regional Scotland, Northern Ireland – and Sligo). Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Programme is aimed at local in cooperation with the Faroe Monaghan, and Sligo) and and regional authorities. It Islands, Iceland, Greenland and For further information on the western Scotland (Lochaber, focuses on the identification, Norway. SEUPB is the Regional PEACE IV Programme contact: Skye & Lochalsh, Arran & analysis and dissemination Contact Point for Northern Ireland Joint Secretariat Omagh, Cumbrae and Argyll & Bute, of good practices by public Tel: +44 (0) 28 8225 5750 Dumfries and Galloway, East authorities in order to improve The North West Europe E: [email protected] or Belfast, Ayrshire and North Ayrshire the effectiveness of regional Tel: +44 (0) 28 9026 6660 mainland, and South Ayrshire). Programme and local policies. E: [email protected] This €396 million ERDF Co-operation projects are For further information on programme aims to help eligible across all 28 EU states, the INTERREG VA Programme make this new region more plus Norway and Switzerland. contact: competitive, environmentally Joint Secretariat, friendly and cohesive by For further information on VB Monaghan. improving access to more and and VC Programmes, contact: Tel: + 353 (0)47 77003 better jobs, enhancing the Declan McGarrigle or Sarah E: [email protected] or environmental qualities of the Reid at the SEUPB Belfast office: region, improving accessibility Tel: + 44 (0) 28 9026 6678 Caroline Coleman, National and ensuring that cities and E: [email protected] Contact Point for Scotland, rural areas are attractive and Scotland sustainable. The programme Tel: +44 (0) 28 9026 6727 Europa, 150 Broomielaw, area is France, the UK, Germany, E: [email protected] Atlantic Quay, Glasgow G2 8LU. the Netherlands, Ireland Tel: +44 (0) 141 228 2202 Luxembourg, Belgium, and E: Caroline.Coleman@ Switzerland. The SEUPB works in scotent.co.uk an advisory and signposting role.
Special EU Programmes Body Belfast Monaghan Omagh [email protected] 7th Floor, M:Tek II Building EU House www.seupb.eu The Clarence West Building Armagh Road 11 Kevlin Road 2 Clarence Street West Monaghan Omagh BT78 1LB Belfast BT2 7GP Ireland Northern Ireland Northern Ireland T: +353 (0) 477 7003 +44 (0) 28 8225 5750 T: +44 (0) 28 9026 6660