No.  There is no requirement to have a link to history – but equally historical projects are welcome if they meet the criteria – reconciliation, regeneration and prosperity.

The Return of the Earls Committee will decide which proposals will be supported and allowed to use the Return of the Earls logo.The Committee wants to interpret each of those criteria as widely as possible.  It is also important that the Return of the Earls logo becomes a mark of high quality.  Some examples of each criterion might be helpful:

Reconciliation:  Most people interpret this as meaning reconciliation between the communities.  However reconciliation within a housing estate or village or town where that has not been apparent previously or between people of different ages or interests are also encouraged.  Activities to encourage any group that is isolated or excluded or not currently participating are another possibility.  The essence of this criterion is that your proposals should help address the legacy of conflict in this community.The Committee will want to see evidence of how the proposal will result in reconciliation.  This could be because of the wide range of people working together on the proposed activities or the range of people that are being targeted for participation. 

Regeneration:  The most obvious type of regeneration is economic and this is, of course, important.  Other types of regeneration are equally important, for example: enhancing a rural community, housing estate, village or town improving links and communications between communities physical improvements to a street, building or neighbourhood.

Prosperity:  Any proposal that seeks to encourage: Tourism Employment, People from outside to visit Dungannon and South Tyrone The local population to engage in activities Local people to improve their employment prospects,Social prosperity within a community.

Try to think through how you will actually measure the impact of what you are doing in terms of reconciliation and regeneration and prosperity.  For a new group or activity being able to organise and run the event might be enough evidence, in more established groups, the numbers or range of people engaging in the activities might be the measure. 
Funds raised, a change to a building, landmark or an improvement in the environment or appearance of, for example, a housing estate or village are other measures.  Ideally your measures should be apparent to anyone but even a ‘feel good’ factor within a community might be enough.  The Council Officer will also help you identify the measures.

Return of the Earls is the Council’s theme until May 2005, (when the next Council will be elected).  Even events and activities that have previously been supported by the Council will be expected to show how they fit within the 3 criteria (reconciliation, regeneration and prosperity).
In particular any proposals for new funding, even from existing events, will be expected to meet the criteria and add to what was done previously.  All requests for Council support will be examined in the context of the Return of the Earls criteria.