The PEACE Programmes Learning Platform Level 1

Summary: Open Doors is a regional initiative, to build relationships between the EPFC community, and other groups and sectors across the region, founded on the principle of reconciliation and understanding by: Creating partnership to build understanding between groups representing both loyalist and republican ex-prisoners/former combatants; Building relationships with other legacy communities to create dialogue about the past and promote understanding and healing; Establishing relationships with mainstream service providers and other stakeholders promote the reintegration of the EPFC community within society. Development: The project has been developed over the past 18 months, by Co-operation Ireland, in partnership with organisations representing both Republican and Loyalist EPFCs, namely: Charter NI- UDA; Teach Na Failte – INLA; EPIC – UVF; The Plough - Official IRA. The process was facilitated by the Institute of Irish Studies at University of Liverpool, and Queens University Belfast. Strategic Context/Need: The programme outcomes align with the NI Executives Together: Building a United Community Strategy, the Fresh Start Agreement and the Peace IV programme. The need and demand for it is evidenced by the recommendations of the Executive Led Ex-prisoner Working Group, academic research, the partners knowledge of the sector and the evaluation of the Peace III funded Prisons to Peace project. This development period witnessed the signing of the Fresh Start Agreement (2015). The subsequent report on the disbandment of paramilitary groups recognised the difficulties faced by ex-prisoners reintegrating into society can have negative impacts, resulting in individuals and those around them feeling stigmatised or disenfranchised and remaining economically inactive and argued that there appears to be a strong public interest argument for addressing those issues, both to secure continuing support for progress and to minimise the costs to society. The implementation plan agreed by the NI Executive actions includes actions to address the statutory impediments to re-integration, e.g. access to employment, financial services, but not the complex social issues which marginalise EPFC community within society. Until this marginalisation is resolved, many will continue to ask why are we still talking about ex-prisoners 18 years after the Good Friday Agreement. The partners were cognisant of these strategic factors, aware that this initiative had to be distinct from their other activities and their increasing involvement in peacebuilding interventions had diminished their focus on the reintegration of EPFCs. Objectives: This proposal re-focusses the partners energies on relationship building and re-integration, engaging them in key activities which: build relationships between ex-prisoners and former combatants from both Republican and Loyalist traditions; build relationships between the EPFC community and other legacy groups; promote acceptance of the EPFC community within wider society through awareness building and engagement with key influencers and service providers. Structure: To achieve these goals the partners have agreed a region-wide delivery structure, and implementation plan which is both cross-community and cross-border, with partners acting together to deliver activities that have a regional impact (this structure is represented in the diagram in Section10.1). Activities: The programme activities both outreach to and engage the EPFC community, and, promotes a process of constructive dialogue and discussion to address the pre-conceived assumptions and prejudices which sustain division, prevent re-integration and hinder the development of new relationships. These actions directly contributes to the Programme results, positively influencing the perception of relationships between those from different traditions, backgrounds and cultures, by: Providing a public demonstration that those who have previously been considered enemies can work together towards a common future; Building bridges with those who are impacted by the legacy of conflict e.g. victim and survivor groups; Addressing the exclusion and isolation which impacts on EPFCs, and prevents their full participation in society; Fulfilling the needs of the families of EPFCs, who are also impacted by the past actions of family members; Overcoming the marginalisation which could lead a new generation being drawn towards paramilitarism; Challenging public stereotypes to promote re-integration and healing. Outcomes: The impact of these changes on the 4,000 programme participants, will be assessed through the monitoring and evaluation systems adopted by the partners (Section12). A wide-ranging publicity and communication plan (Section 11) will also enable delivery of these impacts, and help to: engage potential participants and beneficiaries; establish wider public awareness of the project; publicise project successes, and the support of the Peace IV Programme. Achieving these goals will be a significant step for peace-building across the region, and will have sustainable benefits across society, both for the EPFC community and for those seeking healing for victims and survivors of the conflict. The partners will also engage with Coiste na Iarchimi, the representative group for Provisional IRA ex-prisoners, and have agreed a number of activities which will deliver synergy and co-operation between all ex-prisoner groups. The partners consider this project as unique in terms of its structure, activities and objectives, one which will not take place without the support of Peace IV funds and which is wholly additional to the existing work of the partners.