Community and voluntary organisations across the UK will benefit
from a new UK Government initiative to strengthen East-West
collaboration, announced today (June 12) at the first
East West Council to take place in Northern Ireland, and under
this government.
The Connect Fund, announced by Northern Ireland Office
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State , will provide awards from a
funding pot of up to £1 million to support groups working in
sectors which directly affect Northern Ireland communities,
helping them to tackle mutual challenges and opportunities which
also affect communities in Great Britain. Applicants will fulfill
objectives such as strengthening East-West connections by
developing long lasting civic relationships; supporting the
development of cultural, sports and people links; building
leadership capability and facilitating constructive dialogue on
shared opportunities and challenges facing UK communities. Each
group will be able to bid for between £300 and £50,000 to deliver
its objectives.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said:
Today's East West Council has demonstrated how the UK Government
is strengthening East-West connections across the UK, through the
launch of the NIO's Connect Fund to benefit community and
voluntary groups, as well as the ambitious work programme to
boost trade brought forward by Intertrade UK.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
said:
I am so proud to have launched the Connect Fund, which will
support better connections between community groups and
individuals of all ages between Northern Ireland and Great
Britain.
I ran a community centre before I was an MP and so I know the
value that this funding will bring. I urge local community and
voluntary groups in Northern Ireland to apply to take part in
this great opportunity, and look forward to the positive changes
which this Fund will bring to communities in the coming years.
The East West Council was co-chaired by Secretary of State for
Northern Ireland , and Chancellor of the Duchy of
Lancaster . Formed as part of the Safeguarding the
Union command paper, the East West Council is a forum for
key representatives from government, civil society and businesses
from across the UK to advance shared opportunities and address
shared challenges.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said:
I'm delighted to be in Northern Ireland today for the first
East-West Council under this government. We are committed to
delivering for working people throughout the whole of the UK and
strengthening collaboration between the nations is critical to
this.
I was particularly pleased to hear the great work that Intertrade
UK is doing to promote trade across the UK - boosting
opportunities for businesses, driving growth and making sure we
are harnessing our full potential.
Today's meeting took place just a few hours before the
British-Irish Council, and a fortnight after the meeting of the
Council of Nations and Regions, reiterating the Government's
continued commitment to strengthening relations with the Devolved
Governments.
The East West Council also heard from representatives of
Intertrade UK on the body's draft programme of work to
facilitate and boost trade across the UK. Intertrade UK, also
formed under the Safeguarding the Union command paper,
is a key asset in the delivery of this Government's Growth
Mission. It will advise on opportunities to boost
internal trade, accelerate growth in key sectors, options to
increase internal trade and skills flows, and look at how to
maximise the benefits of international trade and investment
across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
