It is positive and important that the EU and the Åland government wants to invest in projects that promote peace and prevent violence, but it is equally important that support programs and funding arrangements are designed in a way that facilitates – rather than hinders – the efforts of the project owners. Both the EU and Åland have an interest in providing Åland organizations, such as the Peace Institute, with de facto opportunities to realize projects that generate work positions and benefits the community. This is stated in an opinion piece written by the Peace Institute Board and Director published in the local papers on Åland 7-8.12.2011.
The full article, in Swedish, is available in pdf here, and at the Nya Åland website, here.