Abstract

The purpose of this Stage 1: "integrated Development Framework for the North East Border Region” is to bring together development proposals from a range of sources in one document as a contribution to integrated development in the region. Development is a dynamic process therefore we see this document a Stage 1 in process leading to a strategic plan for the development of the region. We see this document as a snap-shot of the proposals and development possibilities identified in the region at this time. It is imperative, we feel, to present this document to advance the preparation process for the next round of EU structural funds and EU Initiatives (INTERREG) this year. We accept that this document is not totally inclusive or comprehensive, but it does reflect the large number of proposals sourced from the voluntary and statutory sector. If the document stimulates agencies (Governmental and Non-Governmental) to further develop their proposals for inclusion in Stage 2 then it will serve a valuable purpose. However we (the ad-hoc drafting group for this document) expect that this framework will be a reference document for the development in the region and will become a foundation on which projects will be built for the development of the region. We also expect that this document prepared, on our own initiative and in our own time, will stimulate others to progress the preparation to Stage 2 and ultimately to a Strategic Plan for the region.