Derry joins forces with Europe for funding bid

Mayor of Derry, Cllr Kathleen McCloskey has returned from France after signing a protocol between Derry, Chalon-sur-Saone (Burgundy) and Anderlecht (Brussels).

The protocol forms the basis of a joint funding application between the regions to Europe to assist with a series of initiatives to benefit the communities in each area.

The signing of the agreement marks a progressive stage of the Project Demeter, an ambitious drive to bring together imaginative initiatives to profile the river, riverside and adjacent waterways. The project was initially spearheaded by Creggan Country Park, who has joined efforts with Derry City Council to bring a citywide approach to the plan.

Gerry Quinn from Creggan Country Park explained: “The project originated through the Country Park with an emphasis on transferring the knowledge and skills that we have learned about river-based environmental improvements and enhancements to other cities in Europe. As part of this transfer we will be learning about how our partners in Europe have developed similar initiatives that have linked outlying areas to their rivers, identified green public spaces and overall improved the attractiveness of their cities. We are delighted to be working with more partners towards making a successful bid to the North West Europe Secretariat in Lille by October 1”.

Project Demeter is in its final stages after various trans-national meetings linked to the EU URBAN Community Initiative Programme. Primarily a regeneration project, it is hoped it will bring additional funding to a series of programmes in the city council area, if it is successful.

Jim Sanderson, Director of Recreation and Leisure said: “We have had a series of consultation meetings to bring together ideas and projects that, if successful, will form the action plan of the bid into Europe. There has been much discussion about the riverside developments and activities that complement existing waterways and we are hopeful that, through Project Demeter, we can fulfil many of these aspirations”.

Commenting on the protocol, Cllr McCloskey said: “It was an interesting visit as it brought to light the many similarities between the three cities and strengthens our commitment to creating strong projects that will bring benefits to the regions. We hope that this protocol will form the basis of a robust application to Europe that will help us unlock over €26million for developing initiatives in the three sites”.

(KMcA)