CENTRE for CROSS BORDER STUDIES

The Centre for Cross Border Studies in partnership with FGS McClure Watters have been appointed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to produce a Common Chapter (North-South) Activity Report for 2006.  The Common Chapter forms part of the National Development Plan for Ireland and the Structural Funds Plan for Northern Ireland, and aims to increase mutually beneficial cooperation between both parts of Ireland.  The Chapter takes account of three axes of cooperation:

• Border Corridor: Cooperation along the border and between Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland;
• North-South: Cooperation within the island of Ireland; and
• East-West: Cooperation between the island of Ireland, Great Britain, Europe and internationally.

As part of its Common Chapter reporting responsibilities, SEUPB is required to report on the following five main areas:

• The EU-supported programmes it manages;
• Structural Fund Operational Programmes;
• North/South Implementation Bodies;
• The six areas of cooperation (agriculture, education, environment, health, tourism and transport)