S2@25 project celebrates 25 years of the North-South Implementation Bodies

A major project which measured the impact of the North-South implementation bodies established under Strand 2 of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement has concluded.

The ‘S2@25’ project was supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

It identified and shared examples of best practice of cross-border and all-island operations which will improve strategic cross-border cooperation and collaboration over the next 25 years, as well as developing a training programme aimed at officials and others involved in North-South cooperation and governance.

The project was led by the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, with Atlantic Technological University and the eight North South organisations – Foras na Gaeilge, InterTradeIreland, Loughs Agency, Safefood, SEUPB, Tourism Ireland, the Ulster-Scots Agency and Waterways Ireland.

Minister of Finance John O’Dowd, MLA, said: “For over 25 years, the North-South Implementation Bodies have demonstrated the practical benefits that cooperation can deliver for people and communities across this Island.

“S2@25 has provided an important opportunity to capture that experience, identify best practice and consider how the Bodies can continue to contribute collectively to shared priorities and strengthen North-South cooperation.

“I congratulate everyone involved in delivering this important PEACE PLUS project.”

Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in the Irish Government, said: “The S2@25 project has highlighted the collective impact of the North South Implementation Bodies, which were established under Strand 2 of the Good Friday Agreement.

“The bodies have 25 years’ shared learning experience, which can now help to inform strategic cross-border cooperation long into the future.

“The S2@25 project has made a valuable contribution towards improving capacity for cooperation and in supporting the objectives of PEACEPLUS.

“My thanks to all of the project partners including the eight North South organisations, and in particular to the Special EU Programmes Body which manages the €1.14 billion PEACEPLUS programme.”

Gina McIntyre, SEUPB Chief Executive, added: “The North-South Implementation Bodies have demonstrated the value of collaborative working to address shared challenges and opportunities across the island.

“The S2@25 project has provided an important opportunity to reflect on the successes, lessons learned and best practice that have emerged over that period.

“By capturing this knowledge and developing practical resources for those involved in cross-border cooperation, the project will inform and strengthen future collaboration.”

Ulster-Scots Agency Chief Executive Ian Crozier said: “The work of the North-South Implementation Bodies is a key outworking of the Belfast Agreement which should be much better known by policymakers and communities on both sides of the border. Hopefully, this project will help to shed new light and encourage greater engagement with our sector, which offers much potential for the future and a model for cooperation across these islands.”

JoAnne Kilmartin, Senior Development Officer in the North South Engagement Centre at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), added: “ATU was delighted to be a partner in the S2@25 project, which has created a strong and lasting legacy in terms of programme development and cross border collaboration.

“We look forward to applying these learnings to strengthen strategic cooperation and maximise opportunities for communities across the island in the years ahead.”

Anthony Soares, Director at the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, concluded: “We would like to thank the Special EU Programmes Body for funding the S2@25 project.

“The North-South implementation bodies under Strand 2 of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement should be very proud of what they have delivered over the last quarter of a century, and I would like to thank the Chief Executives and stakeholders for the open engagement during the research.

“As a result of the S2@25 project, we have developed a strategy to address long-term challenges and priorities shared by the two administrations, while addressing obstacles and examining potential solutions.

“We have also researched and planned a short course on cross-border collaboration to develop skills and improve capacity for cooperation.

“We were delighted to work in partnership with Atlantic Technological University on this part of the project and we look forward to seeing learners register for the first course.”

Caption: 

Ian Crozier (Chief Executive, Ulster-Scots Agency), Gina McIntyre (Chief Executive, SEUPB), John O’Dowd, MLA (Minister of Finance), Anthony Soares (Director, Centre for Cross Border Cooperation) and JoAnne Kilmartin (Senior Development Officer, North South Engagement Centre, Atlantic Technological University)