PEACEPLUS Programme (Ireland/Northern Ireland)
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development; Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Department of Education
- Published on: 29 November 2018
- Last updated on: 9 January 2025
- Introduction
- Included Areas
- Aims
- Programme Management
- Role of the Department of Rural and Community Development
- PEACEPLUS - Funding Allocations
Introduction
The PEACEPLUS Programme is a European Union initiative designed to support peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The Programme will invest €1.145 billion in the eligible region over the six year period from 2021 to 2027.
€916 million is being provided through the European Regional Development Fund with the Irish and UK governments providing an additional €229 million of match funding. The Irish government funding is provided by a number of departments, including the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Included Areas
The eligible area for the PEACEPLUS Programme for 2021-2027 is Northern Ireland and the border region counties of Ireland (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo). However, in a change from previous PEACE programmes, activities can involve partners and activity outside the programme area, as long as the projects being funded are making a contribution to the objectives of the programme and benefit citizens within the programme area.
Aims
The PEACEPLUS Programme was agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government and the European Commission and has six core objectives.
The programme aims to make lasting change in:
- Building peaceful and thriving communities
- Delivering socio-economic regeneration and transformation
- Empowering and investing in our young people
- Healthy and inclusive communities
- Supporting a sustainable and better connected future
- Building and embedding partnership and collaboration
Programme Management
The PEACEPLUS Programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body ( SEUPB ) on behalf of the Irish and UK governments. SEUPB is a North South Implementation Body established under the Good Friday Agreement.
The role of the SEUPB is to:
- Manage, monitor and evaluate the programme (Managing Authority)
- Manage all financial management aspects and make payments to project beneficiaries (Certifying Authority)
- Support the programme's project selection Steering Committee (Joint Secretariat)
- Assist programme beneficiaries with project implementation (Joint Secretariat)
- Ensure the legality and regularity of all expenditure (Financial Control Unit)
Role of the Department of Rural and Community Development
The Department of Rural and Community Development is an accountable department for the PEACEPLUS Programme.
As an accountable department, it:
- Provides funding to the SEUPB for payment to PEACE Programme projects
- Acts as an advisor on the Programme Monitoring Committee, which monitors the effectiveness and quality of the programme. It carries out such duties as approving selection criteria, reviews progress towards targets and evaluates the impact of actions
- Is a member of the Programme Steering Committee, which selects projects for support under the programme
For information on how to apply for funding, please click the following link: Apply for PEACEPLUS funding.
PEACEPLUS - Funding Allocations
Information on funding allocated to PEACEPLUS by the Department can be found here: PEACEPLUS - Funding Allocations