A report is currently being compiled to assess the impact of European Peace funding on the Protestant community in border counties including Donegal.

The Special EU Programmes Body commissioned the report in January of this year and invited responses from local groups involved in promoting peace building as well as members of the local Protestant community.

Donegal's proximity to Northern Ireland means the County has benefited significantly from previous Peace funding programmes. And this report has been designed to look at how best to implement the forthcoming Peace III funding.

Throughout its span from 2002 to 2006 a total of ¤9.5 million in Peace II funding was allocated to 250 different projects in Donegal through the County-Council led Peace II Task Force.

The most recent statistics show that the Protestant community currently make up ten per cent of Donegal's population.

In some of the responses received by the SEUPB, cross border activity and interaction has been highlighted as something which would be beneficial to areas such as Pettigo/Tullyhomon, Ballyshannon/Belleek, Castlefin/Castlederg, Lifford/Strabane, Muff/Derry. As well as this, small border towns and population catchments which could benefit from Peace III funding were mentioned such as Carrigans, Killea.

A series of grant-aided programmes have been mooted as a way in which Peace III funding could best be implemented within the County.

The report by the SEUPB will receive its official launch at a conference in Downings on the 20th September.