A new cross border initiative aimed at "sourcing" support for the creative industries was launched in the Factory Performance Space in Sligo on Tuesday evening the 21st March. The project which is supported through the EU Community Initiative INTERREG IIIA Programme, is a cross border initiative involving Leader groups in counties Leitrim, Fermanagh and Sligo and aims to advance the creative industries sector in the regions. The Factory Performance Space is one of the Regional Resource Centres for the programme and provides information services to participants of the project in the region.

The project seeks to harness individual creativity, skill and talent within the three counties and so maximise opportunities for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property. This includes craft, design, fashion, software & computer services, architecture, the performing arts, advertising & P.R., publishing and the media.

At the launch, Pauline Keegan, Director of Rural Development, at DARD Northern Ireland said: "One of the department’s key aims is to provide support and encouragement to people living and working in rural areas to develop initiatives aimed at improving and developing rural communities economically, socially, culturally and environmentally.

"I congratulate the Partners on their vision in developing the ‘SOURCE’ project which will provide the business and marketing skills for the creative workers, craftspeople and designers that undoubtedly exist within the rural areas of Leitrim, Fermanagh and Sligo. The project will bring together a diverse range of people from both sides of the border sharing a common focus on the development of the creative sector which will provide opportunities for the development of mutual understanding and new working relationships on a cross border basis".

Paddy McGinn, Joint Manager from Border Action commented: "From the work of Border Action in promoting cross border cooperation through the EU INTERREG and Peace Initiatives it is clear that more joined up thinking on a cross border basis as evidenced in this initiative is required. Within the overall theme of promoting, nurturing and developing creativity within rural enterprise, I am struck by the breath of activity envisaged. I am heartened by your very clear focus on working with existing producers, while also looking at new and emerging product development opportunities in such areas as the craft, design, fashion, software, ICT and performing arts sectors. I congratulate each of the partner organisations, you have a strong track record, and have been successful over many years in the supports and assistance you have provided to rural enterprise development".

Tom Hobson from the International Fund for Ireland also expressed his enthusiasm to be involved in funding such an innovative project.

Mr Trevor Armstrong, Chairman of ‘SOURCE’ Management Committee commented: "We are very excited to see a project which will help to promote the Creative Industries sector in the cross border areas of Fermanagh, Sligo and Leitrim being launched. We believe that the project will help to cultivate and inspire an entrepreneurial culture, which in turn will stimulate activity with self employed and business starts. The training will provide individuals with business and design skills, which will help create full time and part time permanent jobs as well as safeguarding existing jobs. The three Workspace facilities will involve utilising a building to it’s maximum potential as well as helping to rejuvenate the area by enabling a group of creative enterprises to locate their business in a collective environment. The three Regional Resource Centres will support the Creative Industries sector by providing information services and a Research Officer offering one-to-one advice."

The finale of the evening was an exceptional performance of excerpts from Macbeth by the County Sligo Youth Theatre. They showcase some of the performing arts talent that exists in the region which the SOURCE project hopes to develop.

The ‘SOURCE –developing rural creativity’ project represents an investment of €1,022,560 / £659,716, with INTERREG IIIA Ireland / Northern Ireland Programme providing a contribution of €766,920/£494,787 through DARD in Northern Ireland and Border Action in Ireland. The Project has also received funding from the International Fund for Ireland.