EPAG minutes 11 May 2004

EPAG minutes: 11 May 2004

In Attendance
Maureen Piggot (Mencap), Niall Fitzduff (RCN), Micheal Briggs (EBCDA), Una Gillespie (WBEF),
Liz Law (WIWEP) and Gerard Deane (NWCN).

Apologies
Edwin Graham LCVA, Helen Ferguson Carers NI, Sandra Adair Volunteer Development Agency and Peggy Flannigan CWETN.

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

BSP 3.3.

The group agreed to arrange another meeting of the BSP 3.3 group and DSD. However this may not be possible before the July holidays. There were claims that payments were now slower and very little had changed. Publicity and use of logos still seem to be a real issue which DSD are not taking seriously. DFP and most IFBs are more relaxed about this and there is no reason why DSD can't do the same.

Cohesion Report

There was an update on the third report on cohesion and the plans for the new structural funds. The group discussed the fact that NI would be able to apply for considerably less money.

PEACE III

A copy of the recently released NICVA publication "Designing Peace III" was distributed. It was explained that support for another peace programme was forthcoming from NI and ROI. There was a general agreement that the economic focus of this Peace programme had been a mistake and in many cases difficult to spend. There was a discussion around the time scale for getting agreement for a new programme and it was outlined that things would move quickly with an announcement expected in June. There was agreement that very little of the learning from Peace I was transferred to Peace II and we need to work to ensure that this doesn't happen again. Ways of recording learning on how we are contributing to peace need to be built into any new programme. Examples of good practice in this area include the Leader observatory and the Helios programme. We need to ensure that we have a strong voice this time around and do not let the civil servants control the designing of the programme. It would be interesting to compare monitoring and evaluation which the sector has to undertake with private/public sector monitoring as well as in other member states.

Concordia

The group were informed of a project being run by Concordia which aims to share learning and experiences on various issues across Europe. Organistions with ideas for group visits, individual visits or exchanges should contact Catherine Bloomfield to find out more.

Reports from monitoring committees.

BSP - There had been no meeting of the BSP monitoring committee.

Peace II - Seamus updated the group on developments within Peace II. Money moved around to meet n+2 had been returned to the programme. There may be additional money available for priority two due to exchange rates but it may be as late as October before we know. Members reported being informed by funders that protective notices should be issued to staff. Focus of the next meeting will be on getting money shifted into priority II.

Urban - next meeting of URBAN is on 22 June.

Equal - Maureen updated the group on EQUAL. A mainstreaming event was held in March and funded groups had exhibition of their work. The deadline for new applications was extended. Work was being undertaken by Proteus to develop a computerised system to record 'softer' outcomes. Next meeting will be held in June.

Leader+ - Niall updated the group. Next meeting is later this week. 19.1 has been spent. 12 local action groups are operating. It is proving difficult to find transnational partners because of the narrow focus of Leader in NI.

60 Day Action Team

Seamus will try and find out the extent of read-across and get clear guidance on what should be happening in this regard.

Chair of EPAG

Jane Gribben from Ballymena Community Forum had agreed to become the new Chair of EPAG.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 29 June at 11am finishing with lunch at 1pm.