4 July 2001

‘EQUAL’ FOOTING FOR DISADVANTAGED GROUPS – FARREN

Dr Sean Farren, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, today issued a call for applications to the new European funded EQUAL Community Initiatives Programme.

Minister Farren said: "I am delighted that we are now ready to announce this first call for the new EQUAL Programme. The Programme provides an opportunity to test innovative ways of assisting groups, which have been disadvantaged in the labour market. It will also explore ways of tackling problems common to different types of discrimination and inequality, rather than specifically focusing on the needs of one group.

"My Department has worked quickly to ensure that the implementation of EQUAL in Northern Ireland moves within the same timeframe as equivalent programmes in other European member states."

Dr Farren added: "Project activity will be undertaken by Development Partnerships under two themes which are Employability and Equal Opportunities in the labour market. I have a particular interest in the learning to be gained from EQUAL projects, as it will also help inform the work of my new Taskforce on Employability and Long Term Unemployment established under the Programme for Government."

Media enquiries to Kevin Mulhern, Press Office, telephone 028 9025 7790 or
mobile 07799 711523

NOTES TO EDITORS:

This is the first of two calls for applications for EQUAL, the second call is scheduled for 2004. The total European funding available to the programme is £7.5 million, 50% of the funding will be available at each call.

In order to ensure that the maximum support is available to all applicants during the selection process and indeed to successful applicants following selection, the Department has contracted PROTEUS to provide ongoing information, help and guidance.

Applicants interested in either setting up a Development Partnership for EQUAL in NI under the Employability or Equal Opportunities themes, or participating in project activity focused on asylum seekers should contact PROTEUS, details as follows;

Mr. Michael Hegarty
EQUAL National Support Structure
PROTEUS
Unit 8
Edgewater Office Park
Edgewater Road
BELFAST
BT3 9JQ
Helpline: 028 9037 2605
Information Line: 028 9037 1023
Fax: 028 90371024

E-mail: equal@proteus-ni.org

Application forms and guidance notes for EQUAL will be available either directly from PROTEUS or from their web site, www.proteus-ni.org on 9 July 2001. The deadline for return of completed applications is 31 August 2001.