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