Have Your Say in Newry, Mourne and Down’s PEACEPLUS Local Authority Action Plan

PEACEPLUS is a new European Union funding programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. It is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and builds on the work of the PEACE and INTERREG programmes. 

The PEACEPLUS Programme is a €1bn investment in the social, economic and environmental development of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, comprising six themes, which encompass 21 individual investment areas.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is the Lead Partner for Theme 1.1 ‘Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities’, which will promote peace and reconciliation in Newry, Mourne and Down.  Over the coming months the new PEACEPLUS Partnership will be engaging with local communities to design a programme up to the value of €8,645,533 based on three key themes: ‘Local Regeneration and Transformation’, ‘Thriving and Peaceful Communities’ and ‘Celebrating Cultures and Diversity’. 

The PEACEPLUS Partnership, which had its inaugural meeting on Thursday 8 September, consists of elected members, statutory bodies, community representatives and social partners.  The Partnership members reflect and represent all interests, areas and communities and will oversee the preparation of the co-design process, which will produce the PEACEPLUS Local Authority Action Plan. The Plan, informed by inclusive engagement with the local community, will result in improved, shared and inclusive local services, facilities and spaces and make a significant and lasting contribution to peace and reconciliation.

Welcoming the funding, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said,? “I am delighted that the Council, as lead partner of the PEACEPLUS Partnership, is being offered the opportunity to build positive relations locally through the delivery of a wide range of exciting initiatives that are focused on reconciliation, challenging prejudice and promoting diversity and good relations.

“This is a very welcome boost for our local communities and the support provided by the EU under PEACEPLUS Programme is a positive signal of the European Union’s continued support for the process of peace and reconciliation’.

Chairperson of the PEACEPLUS Partnership, Councillor Michael Rice said, “The Local Authority-led partnership is ideally placed to ensure the EU funding is invested within community-based projects that will deliver tangible results.  I am confident the funding will make a real difference to the lives of our residents, and we look forward to seeing the results of the co-design process to develop the PEACEPLUS Action Plan.”

If you’re a resident a community or voluntary organisation, or interested in peace and reconciliation, the PEACEPLUS Partnership would like you to contribute to its PEACEPLUS Local Authority Action Plan.  To get involved please come along to one of the following events:

Market House (Ballynahinch):      Monday 28 November, 12pm-2pm 
St Patrick’s Centre:                     Monday 28 November, 6pm-8pm
Unit T Hub Newcastle:                Tuesday 29 November, 12pm-2pm
Castlewellan Community Centre: Tuesday 29 November, 6pm-8pm
Hilltown Community Centre:        Thursday 1 December, 11pm-1pm
Newry Leisure Centre:                 Thursday 1 December, 6pm-8pm
Crossmaglen Community Centre: Monday May 5 December, 12pm-2pm
Kilkeel Nautilus Centre:               Monday 5 December, 6pm-8pm
Online (Teams):                         Wednesday 7 December, 12pm-2pm
Online (Teams):                         Wednesday 7 December, 6pm-8pm  

Confirm your attendance by contacting peace@nmandd.org / 0330 137 4348.

For information on the wider PEACEPLUS Programme managed by SEUPB (Special European Union’s Programmes Body), please see their website where detailed information is available: https://seupb.eu/PEACEPLUS OR www.newrymournedown.org/peaceplus.