Description (EN): Results and Outputs: The Monaghan Peace IV Action Plan has been developed to deliver outputs and results in three thematic areas of the programme, delivering:
Programmes which will engage 905 children and young people in meaningful activities which develop their soft skills and respect for diversity. Thereby increasing the percentage of young people in the County who play sports or socialise with others of a different religious community and increasing the percentage of young people who think cross community relations are better than they were 5 years ago and will be better in the future.
One initiative to create and/or enhance the shared usage and nature of public areas and/or buildings.Thereby increasing the percentage of people who perceive their neighbourhood as neutral and the percentage of those who would prefer to live in a mixed religion environment.
One action plan under the objective of Building Positive Relations creating an environment where cultural diversity is respected and celebrated.Thereby increasing the percentage of people who know about the culture of minority ethnic groups and those who think relationships between Catholics and Protestants are better than there were 5 years ago and will be better in future.
Project design: In order to deliver those objectives an activity plan has been identified, incorporating smart targets for each of the objectives required. The selection of activity programmes has been informed by a review of local socio-economic characteristics and a public consultation process delivered in 4 locations across the District and via on-line survey. Activity programmes outlined include provision for youth not engaged in sports, health and wellbeing programmes, volunteering/social action programmes, cross community and cross border sports programmes, language & cultural activity programmes, intergenerational initiatives, creation of outdoor recreation and sporting space, development of a cultural arts hub and provision of small grants opportunities to stimulate community action.
Four Delivery Partners are proposed namely Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board, Monaghan County Council, Monaghan Integrated Development Ltd. and County Monaghan Community Network.
Strategic and Policy Context: A review has been undertaken of relevant strategies and policies which has demonstrated that the proposed action plan is in alignment with the Local Economic and Community Plan, the Council Corporate Plan and funding strategies such as LEADER delivered through the Rural Development Programme. The plan is therefore complementary to, but additional to, existing local and regional provision.
Need and Demand The needs identified within the County include the legacy of the border with the resulting disconnect within communities and economic decline along the border region, need for positive activities which seek to build resilience and confidence in young people, the need to support individuals who are at risk of exclusion and isolation and the needs of ethnic minority communities which are a significant population in the area. The Plan builds on the work undertaken in Peace II and Peace III, however the changing social demographic, continued impact of the border and scale of need require additional investment under Peace IV.
Options: Options for delivery of the Peace Action Plan are constrained as a result of Programme requirements and the reduced time frame now available. However an options appraisal has been considered and effective proposals agreed for Plan implementation to ensure delivery of objectives within the current constraints.
Budget: To effect full delivery of the Action Plan the Peace Partnership requests a grant award of €3,039,912. This includes costs towards management and administration at a flat rate of 13.8% of project expenditure. Adequate cash flow (€250k) will be made available by Monaghan County Council to enable delivery.
Risk Management: The Councils approach to risk management is outlined in the risk register appended to the application outlining key risks which could impact on Action Plan delivery and proposed mitigation measures to manage those risks to an acceptable level.
Horizontal Principles: The Action Plan positively impacts on sustainable development and equality. For example, it provides opportunities for the enhancement of health and wellbeing, the creation of social capacity and connectivity thereby contributing to the creation of more sustainable communities. In addition the Action Plan actively promotes and facilitates the inclusion of ethnic minorities, people from the LGBT community and Travelling Community therebybreaking down barriers to equality within society.
Management Arrangements and Governance: The strategic oversight and management of the Action Plan is the responsibility of the Peace Partnership Board, a sub-committee of the Local Community Development Committee, thereby ensuring integration with Council corporate governance arrangements. The Partnership includes additional members from the statutory and voluntary sector, thereby ensuring adequate skills and experience of peace and reconciliation and the needs of target groups.
The Partnership is administered by a Peace IV Action Plan team led by the Programme Manager and reporting to the Senior Executive Officer of Community Development. The Peace IV Team will take responsibility for ensuring operational delivery of action plan activities, including the projects delivered by the three external delivery partners.
Communications: A communications plan is outlined to ensure effective engagement with all key stakeholders.
Monitoring and Evaluation: The approach to monitoring and evaluation for quantitative and qualitative analysis has been outlined, ensuring effective data capture.
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