To officially mark the end of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s £3.8m ‘Local Authority Action Plan’ a special ‘legacy video’ has been produced, capturing programme activities over the past two years and documenting participants’ stories.
The Action Plan has been funded under the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match-funding for this project has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.
The short film is scheduled to coincide with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, on Monday 21st September, as a fitting tribute to the participants and beneficiaries who stepped out and stepped up to Peace IV.
The special legacy film documents the journey of participants and beneficiaries across the Action Plan’s three core themes: Children and Young People, Shared Spaces and Services and Building Positive Relations.
Among numerous outputs the Action Plan helped to: provide 34 upgrades to existing community facilities throughout the Borough; facilitate the participation of over 200 people in the Shared Spaces and Services Programme; engage approximately 1,140 Children and Young People in a range of leadership, activity-based and visual arts programmes; and deliver a range of programmes that helped build good relations and community capacity through the Community and Cultural Institutions Programme.
Additionally, it ran a significant Cross-Border Programme that has built a sound foundation for relationships to continue to develop and prosper into the future; as well as the revelation of the importance and abundance of local history and heritage, with a wealth of heritage being uncovered.
PEACE IV - A Legacy final long edit (CC captions) from SmartVideo on Vimeo.
Marking the closure of the Causeway Coast and Glens PEACE IV programme, First Minister Arlene Foster said: “We congratulate all involved with this fantastic programme. It has delivered to our children and young people, created and promoted shared spaces, and worked to build positive relations. We don’t underestimate the challenges faced to complete this programme in such challenging times. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in delivering what has been achieved and the legacy that has been created.”
The deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “The Executive Office is really proud to have supported this project. The video is a perfect way of capturing all that has been achieved. It shows the significant impact the project has had on individuals and communities, and it is fitting that it is being launched on International Peace Day. I would encourage people to watch the video, and to hear its message about working together. By doing so we can help bring about a united community where everyone is respected.”
Heather Humphreys TD, Minister of Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands in Ireland commented: “I would like to congratulate Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and in particular, everyone who took part and contributed to the successful completion of this €3.8m EU funded Peace IV project.
I am sure the improvements made to the 34 community facilities will encourage greater use of these safe, neutral spaces which will be further utilised to ensure that cross community engagements continue into the future.
I am delighted that my Department was an accountable Department for the funding of this project which has impacted on cross community peace building and reconciliation. The Peace IV legacy video highlighting the programme's influence across the Borough is a remarkable way of celebrating International Peace Day. You should all be very proud of what you have achieved in successfully implementing such an important contribution to the EU funded Peace IV programme.”
Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), which manages the PEACE IV Programme, said: “What better way to celebrate International Peace Day than to make this wonderful video which perfectly encapsulates the benefits of the EU’s PEACE IV Programme on the lives of thousands of people, from all communities, across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. The immensely positive impact that the Council's PEACE Action Plan has had is clearly evident from those who were involved.
The funding provided the opportunity to create new, courageous and forward-thinking partnerships between different sections of the community in order to promote cultural diversity and meaningful reconciliation. As we face the current struggles posed by COVID-19 this recording is a reminder that our communities are working together; and provides great hope that these relationships will continue to grow, helping us all move towards a more cohesive and peaceful society” she continued.
Chair of the Causeway Coast and Glens Peace IV Partnership, Cllr Orla Beattie, commented: “In addition to congratulating each of the participants, It is hugely important not to underestimate the importance and value of a Programme like this and the legacy that can be built upon to foster wider and more inclusive connections in the future.”
As a result of the current Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions, plans to host a finale event had to change and instead we have taken the opportunity to display our achievements through this short film which luckily began filming at the outset of the Programme.
We would be delighted if you could give it a like or share it on your social media outlets as a way to spread the word and acknowledge the significant journey of the Peace IV participants from the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area.
You can view the video on our website www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk; or on our social media platforms www.facebook.com/CausewayCoastandGlensCouncil and twitter.com/CausewayCouncil
