Following a conference in 1993, ‘Your View of East Belfast’, and subsequent report ‘East Belfast - A New Beginning’ in 1995, the (Greater) East Belfast Partnership was formed in June 1995.  A number of working groups were formed to address key issues, and in July 1996, the Partnership was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee.  A Chief Executive was appointed in August 1996, and by January 1997, a core staff team of four was based in new premises on the Newtownards Road. The organisation expanded, as projects were developed to address identified needs. In addition to this the Partnership got involved in a number of social economy trading activities in an attempt to ensure the future sustainability of the Partnership. In 2002 the East Belfast Partnership moved to new premises in Bloomfield House, where it continued to develop its regeneration and social economy divisions.

During the period September 2004 – June 2005, the EBP Board reviewed its role and function and in May 2005 undertook a structural review. As a result the Partnership reasserted its lead role as a voice and vehicle for regeneration of East Belfast. The outcome was to refocus the Partnership on regeneration and separate the social economy activities (although a wholly owned subsidiary) from the day to day remit of the Partnership.