NI Partnership Fund
On the 9th March 2004 the Department for Employment and Learning announced the launch of a Partnership Fund for Northern Ireland. The Partnership Fund offers employers and employees or their representatives an opportunity to develop partnership solutions to workplace problems. Funding for the current period is now closed.
The Partnership Fund gives employers, employees and their representatives the opportunity to work together to solve particular business problems. Indeed by employers and their employees working together more effectively utilising the partnership approach some workplace problems may well be avoided altogether.
Successful partnership means effective communication at all levels and a successful workplace partnership may well result in tangible business benefits to the organisation. It could engender improved relationships and better management of change through the consultation and involvement of employees. In short, the new approach may well make a significant contribution to the ongoing development of an organisation.
Through the Fund the Department can provide assistance to help businesses and organisations develop partnerships at work, by providing support for projects in the workplace and also by encouraging the spread of information about best partnership practice.
In the longer term the Department sees the Fund contributing to the development of improved skills and productivity of the workforce. The adoption of new ways for employers and employees to work together will complement employment rights legislation and make a contribution towards ensuring the Northern Ireland economy remains competitive.
Application form and guidance notes on its completion are available for download.