Suzanne WylieChief Executive Designate
Belfast City Council
A local perspective27 May 2014
Presentation Overview
• Belfast City Council and Europe• Our approach to European funding and
achievements to date• Our aspirations and goals for the
future
Belfast City CouncilEuropean Unit
• Established in 2004• Based on best practice• Sub regional role• Objectives:
– Maximise EU funding– Disseminate policy and influence legislation– Showcase Belfast and region in Europe– Showcase Europe in Belfast– Engage in EU networks
Competitive EU Funding 2004-2013
• URBACT• LIFELONG LEARNING• ICT POLICY SUPPORT
PROGRAMME• INTERREG
• PREPARATORY ACTION IN SPORT
• FUTURE CITIES• EYES
c €30 million overall value of EU competitive funded projects
Belfast City Council Leading the Way
• INTERREG C – BERI, € 1.5 million
• INTERREG North West Europe - RENEW project €2.44 million
• URBACT - Building Healthy Communities €750 thousand
Belfast City Council Leading the Way
• PEACE II – Connect, €0.5 million
• PEACE III – Skatepark, €0.5 million
• Policy Support Programme – ILLUMINATE, €483,920
• INTERREG A – Business Boot Camp, Gateways to Growth, Smart ECO Hub, c €1.5 million
PEACE III Plan 2011-2014• £4 million • 21 projects• Over 13,000 participants
– 11% ethnic minorities– 63% aged 25 or under – 51% catholic background / 49% protestant or other background
Reconciliation Aim Types of activities Examples of Belfast Projects
Contact awareness and understanding
Increasing trust and understating
Reducing tensions
Visits /SeminarsSocial / cultural interchanges
City of FestivalsCreative LegaciesCitizens for PeaceGrowing RespectWalk of Faith WIMPS
Joint projects Increasing collaboration - efficient and effective working - outcomes
Developing partnershipsArea plansShared events
Peace PlayersTension MonitoringREAL ProjectLocal Area Networks
Raising conflict issues
Breaking silence
Challenging myths, stereotypes.
Culture, values, attitudes, structures that cause discrimination.
Training Workshops DebatesExhibitions
A Century Later Visions of Peace buildingInner East & Outer WestMediation
Changing culture and structure
Changing structures and ways of working
Creating more inclusive structures in communities
Multi denominational groupsLocal development eventsMainstreaming
Creating Cohesive CommunityYouth Engagement ProjectRoots of EmpathyMigrant & Minority Ethnic Project
Activities
Activities
Northern Ireland European Regional Forum
A strategic platform for collaboration on EU policy and funding• maximise EU funding opportunities• shape EU policy to the benefit of the region • influence future funding calls to the benefit of regional
stakeholders
“Strengthening our Voice in Europe”
Period of Transition for the City
• Economic Climate
• Funding climate
• Local Government Reform
• Creating a City Vision / strategy
• Emphasis on Place Shaping
Elements of a City Strategy for 2020
To tackle the effects of economic downturn
• Physical Investment Programme
− Investing £150 million in capital projects
• Economy
− £34 million in local economic growth
− Delivering 200 job opportunities and 400 work placement,
apprenticeship and internship opportunities
− Increasing local procurement to 60%
− Investing nearly £8 million in events
• People, communities and neighbourhoods
− Investing £29 million in local communities
A changing council role Investment Programme 2012-2015
• Transfer of key place-shaping functions e.g.
– Planning – development plans, management & enforcement
– Regeneration Authority
– Enhanced local economic development
– Community Planning
• Councils becoming a central partner of government
• Stronger relationships in the city and internationally
Future Opportunities - Local Government Reform
EU Funding Opportunities for the Future
• Horizon 2020, €79 billion • Erasmus+, €19 billion budget• Life, €3.2 billion • EU Programme for Employment and Social
Innovation (EaSI), €815 million • Creative Europe, €1,462 million
EU Funding Opportunities for the Future
• INTERREG, estimated €210 million • PEACE IV, €269 million • Public Health Programme – budget to be agreed• Innovative Urban Actions, €300 million
The Future of Belfast
VIBRANT
COMPETITIVE
OPPORTUNITY
LEADERSHIP
QUALITY OF LIFE
UNITED
UNIQUE THRIVING CONNECTED