About Us

Promoting and supporting sub-regional involvement in various cooperation and collaboration programmes and initiatives.

The North East Partnership (NEP) was first established in 2004 and is one of five local authority led Cross Border Groups operating in the eligible area for the INTERREG IVA Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland 2007-2013. The other Cross Border Groups include:

• COMET (Greater Belfast)
• East Border Region (EBR)
• Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN)
• North West Region Cross Border Group (NWRCBG)

The NEP acts as a joint collaborative vehicle for eight member local authorities in Northern Ireland, including Antrim Borough Council, Ballymena Borough Council, Ballymoney Borough Council, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Coleraine Borough Council, Larne Borough Council, Moyle District Council and Newtownabbey Borough Council. There is currently no other broadly focused regional development organisation of similar size and scope in the North East region.

The primary focus of the Partnership is to promote and facilitate cross border projects under the various themes of INTERREG IVA to support the achievement of sustainable development, encompassing the social and economic viability of the North East sub-region and throughout the eligible region. The NEP continues to develop networks and relationships with other regions outside the scope of the immediate cross border programme.

Subsequent to a review of the NEP governance structures in 2009, it was decided to establish the Partnership as a 'Statutory Joint Committee'. This Joint Committee would operate under a Service Level Agreement with the agreed Lead Administrative Council, Ballymena Borough Council. This structure enables the member councils to operate effectively under the INTERREG IVA period and thereafter review the arrangements in line with the Review of Public Administration (RPA) in Northern Ireland post 2011, when it is envisaged that the present eight NEP member councils will become three.

NEP Joint Committee Members - April 2011