The Omagh-Sligo Partnership was created in 1995, initially as a partnership between the Local Authorities in Sligo and Omagh. It has now developed and expanded its membership to include enterprise bodies both sides of the border, communities (rural and urban) and education sporting bodies.

The counties of Omagh and Sligo share many of the same economic and social issues and the Partnership has adopted a joint approach to addressing common problems. The Omagh/Sligo Partnership received funding from Cooperation Ireland to oversee a project to the value of €156,600 under measure 5.1 (Increasing Cross-Border Economic Development Opportunities).

Developments in the political and economic climate on the Island of Ireland have created new opportunities for crossborder co-operation. Within this climate the Omagh-Sligo Partnership acts as a facilitator, deliverer and initiator of cross-border development opportunities and initiatives.

The Omagh-Sligo Partnership is involved in the implementation of projects relating to several themes including enterprise and economic development, community development and exchanges and innovation in cross-border development.

Projects funded include:

An exchange took place between MUCAT (Mid Ulster Arts and Community Trust) and MUSAIQ. Members of both groups participated in an 8 week programme in Sligo. All participants learnt the same music and came together with the Samba Band from Sligo to participate in the Omagh mid Summer carnival in June playing Samba Drumming.

Members of Omagh Community Support Forum and Sligo Community Forum have developed a cross border exchange to work together to strengthen local communities. Their aim is to work together and promote capacity building to communities in both Sligo and Omagh.

A very successful exchange has developed between Culmore and O Kane Park (Omagh) and Cranmore Community Association (Sligo). These two groups together have participated in workshops exploring common issues.

The Partnership was successful in securing funding for a programme aimed at looking at environmental and energy efficiency in SMEs located in Omagh and Sligo.

The learning programme was supported by the Sligo County Enterprise Board and Sustainable Energy Ireland.

Under the programme twenty companies were audited and recommendation made to each of them on how to improve their energy and general environmental efficiency.

The Omagh-Sligo Partnership in association with Omagh Ethnic Community Support Group, Sligo Ethnic Support Group and the Omagh District Council Community Relations Department held the first of two Ethnic Information Evenings in November in Omagh Leisure Centre. The evening was well represented by organisations from the community, voluntary and statutory sector who provided information on public safety, health, council services and leisure activities. The seminar attracted migrant workers from the Polish, Russian, Slovakian and Lithuanian communities. The second information seminar is to be held during March in Sligo.

The Sligo Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) project was completed in late 2005. This project involved the placing of ducting and fibre optic cabling within the metropolitan area, 25 km of network was provided around Sligo and its environs. This facility will meet the business demands into the future and will provide a platform for the further expansion of existing businesses whilst being a key element in attracting new business to Sligo. The total cost of the network was €4.6m with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR)providing €3.9m and the Council providing the balance. The MAN network will reduce the need for service providers to install their own ducting infrastructure, as they will operate on a process of open access. The Sligo MAN has now been handed over to E-Net, a company who were awarded the concession by the DCMNR to manage, maintain and operate all the Metropolitan Area Networks on behalf of the state.

The County and Group Broadband Scheme was launched by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in 2004. An information event was organised in Sligo aimed at outlining the key elements of the scheme and stimulating the interest of local community groups and the business sector in rolling out broadband in the County. The roll out of Broadband in County Sligo is seen as a key element to stimulating and sustaining economic and enterprise development in the County and is a priority in Sligo’s County Development Board’s Strategy 2002-2012. In September 2005, the Strandhill, Ransboro, Ballisodare and Rosses Point areas were connected to the service; with Collooney and Ballygawley due to be connected in early 2006.

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