Confirmed: €50,592 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Hike For Better Future (HFBF2026) Lead Partner: #Traad and #Ballyronan #Ballinaderry Development Association Limited (TABBDA) Purpose: A programme of guided hikes and shared outdoor experiences bringing people from different communities together across #NorthernIreland and #Ireland. Through exploring nature, heritage and local landscapes, participants will build friendships, improve wellbeing and strengthen community connections. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Confirmed: €80,804 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Youth Engaged Activists for Health (YEAH! Project) Lead Partner: Developing Healthy Communities Purpose: A cross-community programme bringing young people together to explore healthy lifestyles, food justice and wellbeing through creative arts, digital storytelling and community action. Participants will build leadership skills, strengthen relationships and become advocates for healthier, more inclusive communities. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Confirmed: €98,835 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: #Cortamlet & Central Skillz & Thrillz Lead Partner: Cortamlet Primary School Project Partner: #Castleblayney Central National School Purpose: A cross-border programme bringing together children from two neighbouring primary schools through creative, sporting and practical activities. Working together in a fun and inclusive environment, participants will develop teamwork, build friendships and strengthen cross-border relationships. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Confirmed: €99,534 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Gaels Across Borders – A Cross-Border Schools Coaching Project Lead Partner: Drumragh Sarsfields GAC Project Partner: Truagh Gaels Purpose: A cross-border sports programme bringing together primary school pupils through GAA coaching, tournaments and shared activities. By participating in regular sporting experiences, children will build friendships, strengthen cooperation and develop lasting connections across communities. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Confirmed: €40,339 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: HEARTs HEARTLANDS: Crossings – Artist-led Desire Paths for Cross-Border Dialogue and Civic Cooperation Lead Partner: ARTARCADIA Ltd Project Partner: Regional Cultural Centre Purpose: An artist-led programme using creativity, conversation and community engagement to strengthen cross-border relationships. Through shared cultural experiences and collaborative activities, participants will build trust, encourage dialogue and deepen understanding between communities. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Huge congratulations to Waterside Shared Village, which was a finalist in the ‘A Europe Closer to the Citizens’ category at this year’s REGIOSTARS Awards ceremony in Brussels. The competition was tougher than ever this year, with REGIOSTARS receiving a record 274 applications from right across Europe. Waterside Shared Village was one of just 25 outstanding finalists selected across five categories. The achievement recognises the impact of the €8 million shared-space development, situated in the interface area between Irish Street and Top of the Hill in Derry/Londonderry. The facility includes a community hub, sports complex, youth facilities, community garden and a range of indoor and outdoor spaces designed to encourage participation, inclusion and meaningful cross-community engagement. Supported through the EU’s PEACE IV Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), Waterside Shared Village was developed to build trust, promote reconciliation and create opportunities for sustained engagement between people from all backgrounds. The project was represented in Brussels by Geraldine Doherty and Niree McMorris. SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “Being recognised at European level at the REGIOSTARS Awards is a fantastic achievement for the project and a well-deserved recognition of the people, partnerships and community commitment behind it. “A special mention and congratulations to all of the volunteers at Waterside Shared Village for their dedication and passion, to Derry City & Strabane District Council and all the funding partners for their support for shared spaces. Being named among this year’s top projects is a brilliant recognition of the partnership, dedication and community focus behind the project.”

Confirmed: €91,249 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Shared Circuits: Building Connections Through Robotics Lead Partner: #Gleneely National School Project Partners: #Killygordon NS, #Donegal and #Donoughmore NS, #Donegal Purpose: A cross-community robotics programme bringing together primary school pupils from three schools through STEM learning and teamwork. Working together to design, build and programme robots, participants will develop friendships, build confidence and strengthen mutual understanding. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Confirmed: €32,341 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: GEMs Lead Partner: Foyle Learning Community Associated Partners: Roe Valley Learning Community, Carndonagh Community School, Royal and Prior School, Donegal ETB, North West Regional College, Ulster University, Atlantic Technological University, Scoil Mhuire, Mourne & Derg Learning Community, Ardnashee College, Knockavoe College and Rossmar College Purpose: A cross-border education programme introducing young people to careers in engineering and manufacturing through workshops, school events and industry visits. By learning together, participants will develop new skills, broaden career aspirations and strengthen cross-border relationships. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Thank you to all who attended our #EURegionsWeek event today, ‘Bridging Barriers and Building Futures: Shared Lessons from the PEACEPLUS Journey’. The event reflected the impact of #PEACE, #INTERREG and #PEACEPLUS, and how the programmes continue to transform communities throughout Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland by supporting peacebuilding, cross-border cooperation, regeneration, inclusion, development and much more. Since 1995, more than €3.39 billion has been invested across more than 23,000 projects, reaching more than two million people across the region. Today’s event at the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in #Brussels examined how the programmes have and continue to: ➡️ Help build trust, understanding and positive relationships between communities. ➡️ Support victims and survivors through counselling, advocacy and wellbeing services. ➡️ Create opportunities for children and young people through shared education, leadership and youth development programmes. ➡️ Improve cross-border cooperation in areas including health, transport, environmental protection and innovation. ➡️ Support skills, employment, enterprise and regeneration projects that contribute to long-term prosperity. ➡️ Enable thousands of organisations, community groups and public bodies to work together in pursuit of shared goals. Thank you to our speakers Professor Duncan Morrow, Dr Danielle Blaylock, Norma Shearer MBE, Jemma McGrath, Jane Crudden and Nick Lestas. Today we also launched a new publication which explores the continuing legacy of these programmes through PEACEPLUS, which is investing €1.14 billion to support peacebuilding, inclusion, sustainability and prosperity across the region. SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “Early evidence shows PEACEPLUS is already helping communities build stronger relationships, improve wellbeing, expand opportunities and strengthen cooperation across borders.  “We have made significant progress as a society, however, challenges remain. Lasting peace requires sustained investment, strong partnerships and continued commitment from communities, governments and organisations working together.” Download the booklet to explore the story of how PEACE, INTERREG and PEACEPLUS have helped build stronger communities, deeper cooperation and a more prosperous future for everyone across the Programme area. 🔗 seupb.eu/latest/publications…

Confirmed: €41,856 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Promoting Acceptance, Community and Equality Lead Partner: Academy Rugby Football Club Associated Partner: Naomh Éanna GAA Club Purpose: A cross-community sports programme bringing together young people through shared training, mentoring and social activities. By creating regular opportunities to learn and play together, the project will build friendships, challenge stereotypes and strengthen relationships between communities. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

The Wheel has launched The Digital Communities project, a major cross-border programme supported by PEACEPLUS. The project aims to strengthen digital inclusion and economic resilience by building capacity at individual, organisational, and sectoral levels. Digital Communities will invest over €3 million to support youth work organisations, women’s groups, and community enterprise hubs by providing digital tools to enhance social services for disadvantaged groups and local economic development. This project aims to develop tailored support for volunteers and individuals, community and voluntary organisations, local businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises, through capacity building to develop digital skills, and improving access to and effective use of information and communications technology. Read more: seupb.eu/latest/news/new-pea…

Confirmed: €89,519 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Claudy Thrive Lead Partner: St Colmcille's Primary School, #Claudy Project Partner: #Cumber Claudy Primary School Purpose: A cross-community initiative bringing together children, families and school staff through wellbeing, STEM, digital safety, sport and shared educational experiences. The project will encourage teamwork, strengthen relationships and promote lasting understanding between neighbouring school communities. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Confirmed: €98,393 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Girls Empowering Others Lead Partner: #Donegal Local Sports Partnership CLG Purpose: A sports and leadership programme supporting girls from different backgrounds to build confidence, develop leadership skills and strengthen relationships. Through shared sporting activities, training and outdoor experiences, participants will promote inclusion, cooperation and mutual understanding. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

🏆Last few days to vote for Waterside Shared Village in the REGIOSTARS 2026 Awards! Public vote is open until midday on the 14th of October. We are delighted that Waterside Shared Village, supported through the EU's PEACE IV Programme, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the REGIOSTARS 2026 Awards under the category "A Europe Closer to the Citizens", which recognises projects that help strengthen communities and support sustainable local development. Waterside Shared Village is a powerful example of the lasting impact of PEACE-funded investment, creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to come together, build relationships, and contribute to a more shared and inclusive future. Now we need your support. 🗳️Vote for Waterside Shared Village: ec.europa.eu/regional_policy… Every vote helps showcase the positive impact that PEACE-funded projects continue to have across our region, demonstrating how investment in shared spaces can bring people together, foster understanding, and create lasting benefits for communities. Please vote, like and share to help put Waterside Shared Village and the success of PEACE funding on the European stage. #REGIOSTARS2026 #WatersideSharedVillage #SEUPB #PEACEIV #SharedFuture #EuropeCloserToCitizens #EUFunding #PeaceBuilding

We were pleased to support the launch of the BRIDGE Project (Building Resilient Institutions for Development, Governance and Engagement), a PEACEPLUS initiative focused on strengthening leadership, governance and cross-border collaboration across the border region. Led by @east_border in partnership with the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN), the project will engage local authorities, elected representatives and public officials over the next three years to strengthen skills, share knowledge and support more effective cross-border working. Funded through PEACEPLUS Investment Area 1.2 Empowering Communities, Strand 2: Institutional Capacity Development, BRIDGE will help build the capacity and relationships needed to support long-term cooperation and regional development across the Programme Area. Read more: seupb.eu/latest/news/east-bo…