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Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys has today (Friday 25 August) encouraged the 17 eligible local authorities to submit comprehensive PEACE action plans under the €110 million Co-Designed Local Community PEACE Action Plans as part of the PEACEPLUS programme.
Under this investment area, Co-Designed Local Community PEACE Action Plans will be developed by enabling diverse partnerships, led by local authorities, to establish and address priority actions and activities for their local areas, which will make a significant and lasting contribution to peace and reconciliation.
€110 million has been allocated to the 17 eligible local authority areas within the programming area of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland (Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo).
Speaking about this initiative, Minister Humphreys said:
“I encourage all eligible local authorities to apply for funding to develop Co-Designed Local Community PEACE Action Plans, under the new EU PEACEPLUS Programme.
“€110 million has been allocated across the 17 local authority areas within the programming area of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. This includes over €28 million for the six border local authorities of Ireland which I agreed with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in July 2022.
“My department will be an Accountable Department for this Investment Area and I looks forward to supporting these essential plans in each of the local authority areas and working with all parties including the SEUPB and The Executive Office in Northern Ireland to ensure their delivery for the benefit of all.”
Minister Humphreys added:
“Local Authorities have played a leading role in the delivery of previous PEACE programmes. The new PEACEPLUS programme, and the additional funding available under the programme, will build on this legacy and ensure that local authorities continue to be front and centre in the delivery of investment under PEACEPLUS, for the good of their communities.”
The Minister concluded by saying:
“This funding will facilitate local community regeneration and transformation by allowing local authorities and their communities to self-determine and deliver priority projects on a cross community basis. There is potential to incorporate projects which span a range of different sectors and activities including investment in improved shared and inclusive local services, facilities and spaces.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for local authorities to invest in the continued development of peaceful, prosperous and thriving communities. I would encourage the authorities to grasp this opportunity and develop plans that will be of benefit to all sections of their communities for many years to come.”
Essential guidance is available to all local authorities on the SEUPB’s website, which was developed in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Executive Office and my Department of Rural and Community Development outlining key policies and strategies to consider in the development of your proposals under this specific investment area.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Thursday 14 December 2023.
Full details on how Local Authorities can apply for funding under this investment area are available on the SEUPB website.
PEACEPLUS is a new EU Cohesion Policy cross-border cooperation programme. This €1.145 billion programme combines the previous PEACE and INTERREG cross-border EU funding strands into one cohesive new North-South programme for the 2021-27 period. PEACEPLUS covers an eligible area of Northern Ireland and Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo (although there is scope for activity to extend beyond that area).
Development and management of EU North South programmes is the responsibility of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), a North South Implementation Body established under the Good Friday Agreement. The SEUPB is headquartered in Belfast, with smaller offices in Omagh and Monaghan, and is jointly sponsored by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in Ireland and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland.
Further information on the PEACEPLUS programme is at: PEACEPLUS Programme.
The full list of eligible Local Authority Areas is as follows: