Mayor recognises local workers

The Peace Programme was one of the significant actions which emerged from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement with the aim “to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation by increasing economic development, developing cross-border co-operation and extending social inclusion across Northern Ireland.”

To allocate the funding it was essential to create an organisational model that would lend itself to the realisation of the inclusion of the most marginalised members of the community.

This meant, in essence, setting up a decentralised structure to operate as closely as possible on the ground and to encourage the involvement of local people and organisations in the direction and control of spending.

This resulted in the establishment of the first Social Partnership Model in Northern Ireland. At the local level, each Partnership included elected officials, representatives of voluntary and community organisations, and the business, agricultural, trade and statutory sectors.

Significantly, over £20million of funds were channeled to local groups on a cross community basis targeted at supporting a variety of training and employment programmes, the establishment of new community organisations, the setting–up of pre-school and afterschool clubs, the refurbishment of parks, new ones built and new communities facilities and sports pitches supported.

The Celebration Event paid tribute to all staff, elected members and prominent representatives from the Community and Voluntary sectors, for their hard work and dedication through the years.

The three longest serving members gave over 14 years of voluntary service each, contributing to increased prosperity, peace and improved quality of life in Londonderry.