Projects
APPROVED PROJECTS:
Approved under the INTERREG IVA Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland, under the NEP governance umbrella.
INTERREG IVA - COLLABORATION MEASURE
INTERREG IVA – Management and Implementation of the Multi Annual Plan (MAP) Project - Aims to develop, manage, implement and deliver project applications under the Programme themes of Enterprise, Tourism and Collaboration. The NEP will provide direction and leadership in the development of project applications to the INTERREG IVA programme to maximise INTERREG IVA investment in the North East region, in line with the budget of the Multi Annual Plan. £531,688 INTERREG funding has been awarded for the delivery of this project. The funding has resulted in the creation of three new full-time posts until December 2013; Programme Manager, Finance and Governance Officer and an Administrative Assistant.
For further information about this project contact Mrs Pat Mulvenna, NEP Manager, on (028) 25664401, or email pat.mulvenna@ballymena.gov.uk.
Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) - The BIDs initiative promotes collaboration and cooperation through the development and implementation of the proven, and successful, Business Improvement District Model to allow for a more prosperous cross-border region between Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. The BIDs project supports several stakeholder partnerships to manage future development and deliver sustainable economic growth. Funding equates to c. £716k INTERREG IVA awarded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed through the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This Project is expected to last 3 years, from April 2010 - 31 March 2013.
Project Partners include the following town and city centres; Ballymena; Coleraine; Larne; Sligo and Ayr. Implementation of the BIDs model will aid performance in reacting to the present economic climate by enabling business growth, organisational effectiveness, enhanced public and private sector investment, improved regional competitiveness and greater community and economic well-being. The Model will be used as a Framework to improve both quality of life and access to services in the BIDs areas. The collaboration element helps maintain the heart of the community whilst at the same time allows for the creation of cross-border clusters and the development of networks sharing best practice. Each partner town will be assessed against the ‘Ten Building Blocks of a successful BID’. The Project Partners will work within a ‘Learning Network’ and with the support of specialist consultants determine the actions necessary to further develop their town.
Pat Colgan CEO of SEUPB, speaks of the BIDs as "a highly innovative project which can enhance the viability of several key retail centres across Northern Ireland and the Border Regions of Ireland and Western Scotland. It symbolises a truly collaborative approach spanning three different regional boundaries". He goes on to say "This approach underlines one of the key objectives of the INTERREG IVA Programme, which aims to support and develop cross-border networks in sectors such as health, education and the economy that will improve the lives of people living within all three areas".
BIDs in Action:
For further information about this project contact Mrs Pat Mulvenna, NEP Manager, on (028) 25664401, or email pat.mulvenna@ballymena.gov.uk.
COLLABORATION MEASURE: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Regeneration in Villages and Emergency Rescue (RIVER) Project - £1,320,300 has been awarded for the delivery of the RIVER Project under the European Union's INTERREG IVA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and delivered by the North East Partnership. The overall aim of the RIVER project is to promote rural economic regeneration of towns and villages on the inland waterways in the North East of Northern Ireland and County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland; delivering cooperation for a more prosperous cross-border region. RIVER will support the development of waterways by providing settlement regeneration, through physical improvements in Kilrea, Portglenone, Drumaheglis and Belturbet, and through developing the capability and capacity of the Community Rescue Service NI, incorporating the purchase of equipment and training.
For further information about this project contact Mrs Pat Mulvenna, NEP Manager, on (028) 25664401, or email pat.mulvenna@ballymena.gov.uk.
INTERREG IVA - TOURISM MEASURE
The Gobbins and Sliabh Liag Project - In 2006, the NEP helped secure €60k INTERREG IIIA funding to allow Imeal Tra Teoranta to commission a Joint Technical Feasibility Study on Cliff Attractions. The resulting report formed the basis of this successful IVA project application.
The Project aims to regenerate two cliff paths; the already popular visitor destination at the Sliabh Liag site in South West Donegal and redevelopment of the Gobbins Cliff site at Islandmagee in the Borough of Larne, County Antrim. Restoration will cost c. £7million, with approximately £5.5m awarded under the European Union's INTERREG IVA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, supported by the Department of Enterprise and delivered by the North East Partnerhip.
This project seeks to create two unique coastal experiences; further improve the tourist offering in the region; deliver a joint marketing initiative for the attractions; increase tourism by 90,000 in both locations; increase economic activity and cross-border co-operation, and further develop the Northern Coastal Route. The project was successfully launched in January 2011 and is expected to run until 31st December 2013.
The Gobbins Cliff Path:
Opened in 1902, The Gobbins Cliff Path was once one of the key visitor attractions in Northern Ireland. A spectacular feat of engineering in its day, the Gobbins Cliff Path gave the public the opportunity to experience exhilarating cliff walks just feet above the Irish Sea by means of a series of remarkable suspension bridges. Unfortunately the site was closed to the public in 1954 and remained in a state of disrepair until today. Restoration will see 1600 metres of the original 3 mile long path reinstated, erection of a visitor amenity centre and car parking provision with shuttle bus provision to minimise environmental impact.
It is anticipated that restoration will once again attract tourists in their droves, with estimates of 45,000 within the first full year of opening, providing countless economic benefits to the area.
ERDF has awarded C.£3.5m for the Gobbins element of the project with Larne Borough Council also allocating £2million and a further £200,000 has been awarded from the Ulster Villages Association.
Sliabh Liag:
The magnificent Sliabh Liag Cliffs in South West Donegal are said to be among the highest in Europe. This already popular attraction currently draws 70,000 visitors each year, however, this is expected to increase by an astonishing 20% as a result of this project.
The construction of a new world-class visitor centre, spectacular viewing platform and improved surrounding infrastructure will greatly improve the visitor experience. It is anticipated that this investment will attract more visitors to the area, increasing the number of sustainable tourism visits and length of stay.
ERDF funding equates to c.£1.5m for the Sliabh Liag element of the project.
For further information about this project contact Mrs Pat Mulvenna, NEP Manager, on (028) 25664401, or email pat.mulvenna@ballymena.gov.uk.
INTERREG IVA - ENTERPRISE MEASURE
The Innovation and Growth Initiative - Aims to support the creation of a dynamic, environmentally and economically sustainable enterprise culture. This project builds on the success of the Product Transfer Programme delivered by NEP and Údarás na Gaeltachta under the INTERREG IIIA Programme. It is anticipated that the project will commence January 2012 and will run until 2015. The Project Partners have secured c. £769,751 INTERREG IVA funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed through the SEUPB, subject to final confirmation. The total cost of the project is estimated at c. £1.8million, and it is understood that confirmation of approval is imminent. The programme has been developed to:
1. Strengthen the SME sector by making it nationally and internationally competitive;
2. Exploit and develop new market opportunities;
3. Promote effective cross border business linkages in work areas of mutual benefit, and
4. Enable joint development and marketing of goods and services.
Project partners will be able to retain specialist consultants to work with businesses on identifying low cost methods of innovation by collaborating with overseas firms. Up to 60 businesses from across the North East and West Donegal will participate in the programme. It is anticipated to generate additional target sales in excess of £2m.
This project enables businesses to grow through innovation in a cost effective way by negating the need for businesses to develop new ideas and products from scratch. By collaborating with international partners expansion can be achieved without substantial investment through the provision of rights for a specified market area to another company. This may take place through Joint Ventures, Licensing Agreements or another form of Strategic Alliance.
Other Successful INTERREG Projects of benefit to North East Sub-Region but outside the NEP Project Governance umbrella:
Project KELVIN (IVA - Infrastructure measure) (approved) - Costing in the region of €30m Project KELVIN is managed by the Department of Enterprise Trade & Investment and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. This project represents the single largest investment to be made under INTERREG IVA (75% or €22.5m from EU ERDF). Named after a Belfast engineer at the forefront of early telecommunications technology, this project will significantly improve the telecoms infrastructure in both Northern Ireland and Border Counties by providing a guaranteed high quality link to the North American and European hubs at competitive rates. The new cable link to the existing transatlantic telecoms cable will come onshore in the Coleraine Borough and several towns in the North East will have direct connectivity to the new service.
Sailwest (IVA - Tourism measure) (approved) - The NEP was instrumental in developing the Sailwest initiative that has secured funding from the INTERREG IVA programme. Following on from a maritime workshop meeting in Coleraine in early 2006, the agreed project lead partner, Donegal County Council was successful in securing ‘pipeline’ funding from the Special EU Programme Body towards a Strategic Analysis of marine tourism development in the eligible area. The resulting Sailwest project has 23 partners from the Republic of Ireland, N Ireland and Western Scotland and seeks to develop the maritime and leisure sailing infrastructure on a strategic trilateral basis.
KITE (IVA - Enterprise measure) (approved) - The overall aim of the €4m KITE project is ‘to increase the skills, capacity, knowledge and levels of technology adoption of engineering and manufacturing industries in the INTERREG IVA region. This is achieved through development and rollout of industry specific training materials, equipping training and development laboratories for use by industry and third level students thereby helping to ensure the long term sustainability of key manufacturing and engineering industries in the region. The new project builds on the successful RIM 21 project which was jointly implemented previously by the Northern Regional College and Sligo Institute of Technology.
Tradelinks 2 (IVA - Enterprise measure) - Tradelinks 2 is a follow on from the successful IIIA Project implemented by Enterprise NI and the County Enterprise Boards. Covering the eligible area in Northern Ireland and Border Counties of Republic of Ireland, Tradelinks 2 focuses on micro-enterprises and owner-managed businesses. It offers a range of development options for each micro-enterprise that enables them to develop their business.
Economussee - INTERREG IVB - Northern Periphery Programme - This project aims to help preserve a range of traditional crafts and in so doing create viable employment in rural areas. Crafts will be showcased in a structured museum-like setting where their history will be illustrated, as will details of where to make purhcases. This concept has been tried and tested to great success in the Canadian Province of Quebec. The goal is to create eight Economusee within partner regions and provide support to develop the essential business skills necessary for the participating businesses. The project involves the development of a support and marketing network for the group of European Economuseums.
