Peace III - Draft NICVA response

The closing date for responses to the Operational Plan for the third Peace programme is 4 April. NICVA has produced a draft of the submission it will be making to SEUPB. The key points that NICVA will be making include:

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  Download a full copy of the draft response here.

  Peace funding should be complementary and additional to mainstream government funding for a Shared Future and not be seen as the money which government will use to fulfil its Shared Future obligations.
• The cross cutting themes must be implemented throughout the programme. However questions on cross cutting themes should only be included on application forms if they are also an integral part of the monitoring and evaluation process.
• We recommend that SEUPB draw up robust guidelines for the establishment of partnerships clearly setting out minimum standards for membership and rules of engagement. Partnerships which do not meet the guidelines should not be considered for support.
• The Monitoring Committee, perhaps through a partnership subgroup, should take an active role in monitoring the partnerships.
• SEUPB should draw up guidelines for partnerships considering making an application, which advise them on the thematic groups that should be included in all projects. This would ensure that the inclusion of excluded groups is mainstreamed across the entire programme.
• All social partners should feel able to be involved in every aspect of the programme.
• The principles of distinctiveness, partnership and the cross cutting themes should be applied to Measure II as they are to the rest of the programme.
• Ideally each of the large strategic projects should incorporate a small grants element to widen local participation.
• We recommend a small grants programme that has a minimum amount of £10,000 and a maximum of £30,000.
• The body or bodies tasked with delivering small grants should explore ways of ensuring that the application, monitoring and other bureaucracy associated with the grants is minimal whilst ensuring financial probity.
• An innovative and streamlined small grants programme could come online and begin to spend relatively quickly thus ensuring money moves through the programme while partnerships and strategic bids are being developed.

For more information, contact Lisa McElherron at lisa.mcelherron@nicva.org.