Confirmed: €80,222 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded
Recipient: Duncairn Community Partnership – Reconnecting Communities Peace Programme
Purpose: A cross community programme in #NorthBelfast delivering inclusive activities for all ages, including wellbeing supports, workshops and events. The project focuses on strengthening relationships and maintaining connections, particularly during periods of heightened tension.
Apply before 30 June: https://www.seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-maker-funding-programme
Confirmed: €95,299 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded
Recipient: Black Mountain Shared Space – Shared Space Empowering Communities & Building Futures Programme
Purpose: A peacebuilding and capacity building project focused on communities living across a #Belfast interface area. Through targeted programmes for youth, women, men, older people and victims/survivors, it fosters dialogue, shared identity and sustained cross community relationships.
Apply before 30 June: https://www.seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-maker-funding-programme
Twelve projects from across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland have been awarded a total of €919,794 in Change Maker funding to deliver innovative, community-led initiatives that promote connection, inclusion and peacebuilding.
The funded projects bring together partners from the voluntary, education, cultural and public sectors to address issues including rural isolation, shared education, mental wellbeing, youth engagement, community relations and cross-border collaboration.
Collectively, they reflect the diversity, creativity and impact of locally led approaches to building stronger, more connected communities.
Read more here: www.seupb.eu/latest/news/community-projects-spanning-education-farming-sport-heritage-arts-and-wellbeing-share
Confirmed: €15,480 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded
Recipient: Armagh Harps GFC – Armagh Community Engagement
Purpose: A cross community sports initiative bringing together children from Catholic, Protestant and BME backgrounds through a winter multi sports programme in #Armagh. It aims to reduce community tensions and build inclusion in a diverse and disadvantaged area.
Apply before 30 June: https://www.seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-maker-funding-programme
Confirmed: €99,565 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded
Recipient: West Fermanagh Farmers – Shared Environment, Education & Farming Programme
Purpose: A cross community, farm based education programme engaging primary school pupils in shared outdoor learning in West #Fermanagh. Designed with @QUBelfast , it promotes environmental awareness, collaboration and improved relationships between schools from different community backgrounds.
From the Mournes to Cuilcagh, peatlands across the island of Ireland are being restored through the €19.2 million PEAT+ project supported by PEACEPLUS. 🌱
Led by @ulsterwildlife , the project brings together councils, researchers, conservation groups and public bodies across Northern Ireland and Ireland to restore damaged peatlands, protect biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience across 19 sites.
Funded through PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the @specialeuprogrammesbody , supporting peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, the project reflects the power of working together across borders on shared environmental challenges.
This is Europe’s budget supporting nature restoration, cross-border cooperation and long-term resilience in action. #ThePowerOfTogetherEU
Confirmed: €18,150 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded
Recipient: Rural Support – Common Ground
Purpose: A cross community storytelling project bringing together farming groups across border regions, including West #Fermanagh, to share experiences, reduce isolation and build connections. Workshops will capture rural stories and culminate in a legacy publication and celebration event.
🎥 The First Minister and deputy First Minister have welcomed the signing of a £548million contract for the purchase of a new fleet of intercity trains for the Enterprise service.
The major investment, part-funded by the NI Executive, was announced at Grand Central Station in Belfast.
The First Minister and deputy First Minister said the new trains will improve services on the Belfast - Dublin rail link, offering faster travel times, better passenger experience, more accessibility and increased connectivity.
We were delighted to attend the launch of CliBeef, a €5.75m PEACEPLUS‑supported cross‑border project led by @afbi_ni , focused on helping farmers produce climate‑friendly beef.
Delivered in partnership with Teagasc, Queen’s University Belfast and AgriSearch, CliBeef will work closely with 12 farms across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland to develop practical, farm‑ready solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining productivity.
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said:“CliBeef is a strong example of how cross-border collaboration and innovation can help address shared challenges facing key industries. By bringing together leading research organisations and farmers, this project will support the development of practical solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining productivity and economic stability, all which will benefit our citizens. Peace, prosperity and cross border collaboration are fundamental objectives of PEACEPLUS.”
Read more: https://www.seupb.eu/latest/news/multi-million-climate-friendly-beef-project-launched-afbi
A signing ceremony at Belfast Grand Central Station marked the beginning of a significant partnership to deliver a modern, high quality Intercity rail service - transforming the Enterprise experience for passengers and strengthening one of the island’s most important transport links.
We were delighted to have First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, a senior representative from the UK Government and representatives from Translink and Iarnród Éireann attending the event, with Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, and Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, formally signing a landmark contract with Swiss manufacturer Stadler for a new fleet of eight state-of-the-art Intercity trains for the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise service.
This major €698m cross border investment for new fleet and associated infrastructure, is jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Executive, Department for Infrastructure and the Government of Ireland, Department of Transport, and supported with €165m through PEACEPLUS. The trains will also support expansion to up to 16 services per direction daily, strengthening long-term cross-border economic, cultural and social connectivity.
Read more: www.seupb.eu/latest/news/first-minister-deputy-first-minister-taoiseach-and-tanaiste-herald-landmark-deal-new
Take a look at this video highlighting the progress and impact of the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project 🎥
First shown at ASPIRE’s Festival of Learning on 29 April, a major event celebrating collaboration and shared education across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, the video showcases how shared education is helping to build lasting partnerships across communities.
PEACEPLUS ASPIRE (Advancing Shared Partnerships through Inclusive Relationships in Education) is led by the @educationauthority , alongside @leargas.ireland , earlyyearsorganisation @nationalchildhoodnetwork and @fermanaghtrust .
First Minister Michelle O’Neill was in Ballyronan for the launch of the £2.3 million PEACEPLUS Maximising Community Space Project.
Part-funded by The Executive Office, the project will help make community spaces more inclusive, supporting more than 4,000 people across rural communities.
Speaking at the event, the First Minister welcomed the investment, saying it will bring people together, support women into leadership roles, create opportunities to build new skills and help drive positive change.
