Rebuilding civil society in Northern Ireland: the community and voluntary sector's contribution to the European Union's Peace and Reconciliation District Partnership Programme

Since 1995, 26 District Partnerships have been established in Northern Irel and - one in each local government area. They are overseen by a Northern Ir eland Partnership Board, drawing representation from across the ethnic and political spectrum. Funding of over pound 80 million (up to the end of Sept ember 1999) has been given by the European Commission through its Peace and Reconciliation Special Support Programme. Representatives of voluntary org anisations and community groups form one of the largest constituencies with in each District Partnership, alongside local government, the business sect or and trade unions. This article outlines the work of the partnerships and describes the contribution of voluntary organisations and community groups . Despite the inherent ambiguities of the central terms of 'peace and recon ciliation' and uneven data, there is evidence that the voluntary and commun ity sector has played a significant role in the rebuilding of civil society in Northern Ireland.