Concordia are hosting a short State Aid seminar on:

Friday 22^nd June 2007, 9.30am – 12.00pm, at the Ramada Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast

The aim of this seminar is to discuss the recent developments and future outlook for state aid policy in the EU with particular emphasis on what effect this will have on Northern Ireland. The seminar may be of particular interest to those in the business and agricultural sectors although anyone with an interest in this area is welcome to attend.

Registration is free. If you are interested in attending please contact us using the details below.

Concordia in association with NICVA are hosting a consultation seminar on the above on:

Monday 26^th February 2007, 10.00am – 12.30pm, Play Resource (opposite NICVA)

As you may already know the consultation is currently underway on the Operational Plan for the new round of mainstream structural funds for NI (Competitiveness & Employment Programme). The Operational Plan will detail the aims, objectives, priorities for funding and the delivery arrangements for the new programme.

This seminar has been designed to inform people about the new programme, hear the views and perspectives of the social partner sectors and provide people the opportunity to discuss its content with officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel.

If you would like to register for the forthcoming event please email us on info@concordiapartnership.org or telephone 028 8778 8242

Spaces are limited therefore requests to attend will be accepted on a first come first served basis.

Nicva have produced a summary and briefing document which can be accessed by clicking here

Concordia are hosting two information seminars on the New Strategic Reference Framework for structural funds 2007 – 2013. The events will take place on:

Friday 7^th April, 9.30am – 11.30am, Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown &

Monday 10^th April, 9.30am – 11.30am, The Island Centre, Lagan Valley, Lisburn

The consultation document which was launched recently includes a Northern Ireland chapter with high-level priorities to improve competitiveness and employment here and government are keen to seek stakeholder views on what is the right strategic framework for future mainstream EU funds spending in Northern Ireland.

The consultation closes on 22^nd May and the above events have been designed to inform participants about the NI chapter and to give the views and perspectives of the social partner sectors.

This is an important first stage in the process of shaping new EU programmes for the 2007-2013 period that will be prepared later this year and Concordia would encourage you to attend this important event.

To view the seminar itinerary for Cookstown click here

For directions to the Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown click here

To view the seminar itinerary for Lisburn click here

For directions to Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn click here

The full draft UK NSRF consultation document can be found at  http://www.dti.gov.uk/europe/nsrf.html

Community Planning Seminar  - 17th & 18th February 2005

Following the success of the recent Community Planning Study Tour to Scotland, Concordia hosted two follow up seminars on the issue. 

The community planning concept is receiving substantial coverage within the realms of the current NI Review of Public Administration and is being suggested as the way forward for ensuring more effective delivery of our public services in the future.

There is still a lack of understanding by some within the community as regards what Community Planning is and what it involves.  Hence, the purpose of these events is to address some of the major questions with a view to increasing the knowledge base.

Speakers:  The key note speakers at the event were:

Mr Dermot Harkin

Project Manager

NI Review of Public Administration

Mr Gregg Lloyd

School of Town and Regional Planning

University of Dundee

Ms Julie Brooks

Community Planning Co-ordinator

Fife Local Authority 

Concordia highlight the ‘Value of Partnerships’

Concordia, the social partner group for Northern Ireland are set to urge government to provide more direction and assistance to develop Northern Ireland partnerships after a major conference in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast. 

‘The Value of Partnerships’ conference looked at partnership development within Northern Ireland and the direction that it might take in the future.  The event was well attended with representatives from various Local Strategy, Community Safety and District Policing Partnerships coming together with senior government officials to discuss the possible way forward.

The key note speakers included Mr. Edgar Jardine, Director of Economic Policy Unit within The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister as well as Mr. Bill Pauley, Head of European Branch in the Department of Finance and Personnel.  

Both speakers reflected on the proliferation of partnerships particularly since the onset of the Peace programme and on the successes of many in delivering very worthwhile results within local communities.   In addition, the proposals for an extension to the current Peace II programme were outlined at the event.

Mr. Dermot McCarthy of the Department of the Taoiseach gave an insight into the southern experience of social partnership working and the structures which are in place to ensure inclusion of the social partners within key government decision making.