‘Partnership for Progress’ was funded under Measure 4.1 (Networking in Europe and Beyond) of the European Union’s Peace II programme.   It was administered through the Office of the First and  Deputy First Minister and ran from July 2003 until December 2006. 

The project had 3 key objectives, with the overall aim being to make Northern Ireland more outward and forward looking.

The specific objectives were:

1. To support social partnership representatives on bodies associated with structural funds, primarily Local Strategy Partnerships to enhance their skills and their ability to work in partnership with each other;

2. To advance a common agenda through policy development and research and to advise UK Government authorities, the European Union and Concordia members on the development of social partnership; and

3. To develop a trans-national programme to explore learning and disseminate best practice across the sectors.

Upon completion of the project an independant evaluation was conducted by Peter Quinn Consultancy Services. Their Final Report and Executive Summary  can be viewed in the policy section of this website.