Our cross-border networking event on Thursday 8 October at 11am in Rural Community Network (Cookstown) is open to representatives from community and voluntary sector organisations. To help with planning, please register at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… or email projects@crossborder.ie

The Dare 2 Dream Project, supported by @SEUPB, has officially concluded It marks the completion of a two-phase participatory budgeting initiative across Currynieran and Tullyally Below are selected photos from the project conclusion event at St Columb’s Park House📸

Sport 4 Peace is a cross-community, cross-border project delivered in partnership by Ulster GAA, @UlsterRugby, @IrishFA and @FAIreland, with support from @SEUPB PEACEPLUS 🤝 In Year One, almost 1,500 children and young people came together across schools, clubs and communities to take part in sport, meet new people, share experiences and build connections 🙌 Sport 4 Peace continues to create positive spaces where young people from different backgrounds can learn, play and enjoy sport together. We look forward to building on that progress in Year Two of the project 💯 #Sport4Peace

Twenty-two projects from across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland have been awarded more than €1.5 million through the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme to deliver community-led initiatives that promote connection, inclusion and peacebuilding. The newly funded projects bring together schools, community organisations, youth groups, arts and cultural organisations, environmental groups and voluntary groups to tackle issues including social isolation, community cohesion, youth engagement, wellbeing, disability inclusion, cross-border cooperation and intercultural understanding. Read more: seupb.eu/latest/news/twenty-…

Confirmed: €99,924 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Building Connections Through Community, Creativity and Sport Lead Partner: St Columba's Primary School Associated Partner: Gorran Primary School, #Derry #Londonderry Purpose: A year-long programme bringing children, families and the wider community together through sport, creative activities and community events. The project will create opportunities to build friendships, encourage teamwork and strengthen respect and understanding between different communities. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Confirmed: €69,868 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Growing Together Outdoors Lead Partner: St Brigid's Primary School Associated Partners: Ballytrea Primary School, Bush Primary School and St Mary's Primary School, #Stewartstown Purpose: A year-long outdoor learning programme bringing together pupils from four primary schools through shared environmental activities and community events. By learning and exploring together, children will build friendships, develop confidence and promote greater understanding across communities. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Confirmed: €62,874 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Growing Connections Lead Partner: St Joseph's Grammar School Associated Partners: St Patrick's Primary School and Donaghmore Controlled Primary School Purpose: A cross-community and intergenerational project bringing pupils, older people and local community members together through environmental, educational and community activities. The programme will encourage cooperation, strengthen relationships and promote greater understanding between different communities. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

📢 ONSIDE Evolution has been launched by Disability Action and partners, with support from PEACEPLUS, to tackle social and digital exclusion among disabled people and carers across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. It will support more than 8,000 people through digital inclusion, active citizenship and community connection. Read more: seupb.eu/latest/news/disabil…

Confirmed: €89,969 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Outdoors For All Lead Partner: The Outdoor Partnership (TOP NI) Purpose: An inclusive outdoor adventure programme bringing together people with disabilities, their families and volunteers from different community backgrounds. Through shared outdoor activities, participants will build confidence, develop new skills and strengthen relationships across communities. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Confirmed: €97,448 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Dromboughil Community Association & Crafters on Main Lead Partner: Dromboughil Community Association Associated Partner: Crafters on Main Purpose: A cross-community programme bringing older people and those experiencing social isolation together through creative, wellbeing and social activities. By participating in regular shared experiences, participants will build friendships, increase confidence and strengthen community connections. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Peace is about much more than the absence of conflict. It is the presence of opportunities, trust, cooperation and above all hope in people's everyday lives. On this year's International Day of Peace, we are reflecting on the theme ‘Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day’ and the lessons learned through more than 30 years of peacebuilding across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. Read this blog from our Chief Executive Gina McIntyre, exploring how investing in people, partnerships and communities helps create the conditions for lasting peace: seupb.eu/latest/news/interna… #InvestInPeace #PeaceDay

The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) has launched a new project with partners across the UK and Ireland to make it easier to compare data between countries that will strengthen the case for change, inclusion, and long-term peace. The InsightLink project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It will invest over €1.5m to strengthen cross-border cooperation including a Shared Knowledge Hub, collaborative engagement events and an All-Island Alliance of representatives from the voluntary and community sector (VCSE). It represents an unprecedented North/South and East/West partnership between NICVA and The Wheel (Ireland), SCVO (Scotland), NCVO (England) and WCVA (Wales) engaging participants in capacity-building, research, dialogue and policy engagement. Read more: seupb.eu/latest/news/pioneer…

Confirmed: €91,032 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Robots For Schools (STEM) Lead Partner: #Dromore National School Project Partner: St. Caireall's Primary School Purpose: A cross-border STEM project bringing primary school pupils together through robotics and coding activities. Working in mixed teams, children will develop problem-solving skills, build friendships and strengthen trust through shared learning and collaboration. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

On Wednesday, at Lekenik, @IEAmbZagreb Dorman-Smith participated in a joint workshop with UK Amb @patel_javed involving 20 peacebuilders from Ireland and Northern Ireland. The visiting delegation is on a Study Visit to 🇭🇷 and 🇧🇦on a FORWARD Project programme funded by @SEUPB.

The CORE (Cross-border Opportunities for a Resilient Environment) project – a €772,593 initiative supported by PEACEPLUS – has been launched. The project is led by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) in partnership with Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL). Though the island of Ireland is a single biogeographic unit with shared landscapes, water sources, flora, and fauna, Brexit introduced some barriers to effective collaboration between environmental NGOs on both sides of the border. CORE seeks to minimise some of these barriers, strengthening capacity within the sector, and improving knowledge. Read more: seupb.eu/latest/news/peacepl…

Confirmed: €73,978 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Singing Together, Connecting Communities Lead Partner: City of Derry International Choir Festival Associated Partners: St Mary's College, Moville Community College, Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, Lisneal College and Codetta Youth Choir Purpose: Using music as a shared and inclusive platform, this project will bring people together through a cross-border schools programme, community concerts and cultural events. Participants will develop lasting relationships, strengthen mutual understanding and celebrate the region's shared cultural heritage. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal@cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

Confirmed: €95,392 PEACEPLUS Change Maker funding awarded Project: Crossing Communities with Confidence Programme (Confidence to Connect) Lead Partner: Irish Street Youth & Community Association (ISYCA) Associated Partners: Hillcrest Trust (Top of the Hill) Ltd and Waterside Shared Village (WSV) Purpose: A cross-community programme supporting older people from neighbouring communities to build confidence, reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing. Through shared activities, workshops and social events, participants will develop new friendships, build trust and become more confident using shared community spaces. Find out more: seupb.eu/peaceplus/change-ma… @pobal @cooperationirl @east_border @ruralaction_ni

🗳️ Vote now for the REGIOSTARS 2026 People’s Choice Award! 🇪🇺 Two projects with Irish involvement are finalists: 🏘️ #WatersideSharedVillage #Peaceplus bringing communities together through shared spaces, sport & reconciliation in Derry/Londonderry. @SEUPB 🚲 #AtlanticOnBike #EuroVelo1 promoting sustainable tourism, cycling & cross-border connections along Europe’s Atlantic Coast. @AtlanticArea 🗓️ Vote by 14 Oct 2026, 12:00 Brussels time. 👉 Vote here: ec.europa.eu/regional_policy… @eurireland @EU_Commission @EUinmyRegion

More than €7.3 million of PEACEPLUS funding has been awarded to support children, parents and families experiencing mental and emotional wellbeing challenges across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The funding award for the REACH Project, through the Collaborative Health and Social Care Investment Area of PEACEPLUS, will support 7,500 participants, including at least 3,000 families, through a cross-border social prescribing initiative designed to improve mental health, strengthen family wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. The REACH Project, led by the Clanrye Group in partnership with Teachnadaoine Family Resource Centre and County Down Rural Community Network (CDRCN), will deliver community-based support to individuals and families affected by challenges including social isolation, addiction, trauma, bereavement, caring responsibilities, poverty, unemployment, depression and anxiety. Read more: seupb.eu/latest/news/reach-p…

We were delighted to bring together PEACEPLUS partners, project leads, policymakers and sector experts for PEACEPLUS Allies for Change: Prevention, Partnership and Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls. The event explored the role we can all play in helping to end violence against women and girls and create communities where everyone can feel safe and be safe. Participants heard from an impressive line-up of speakers, including Ireland's Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan TD, internationally recognised allyship advocate Lee Chambers, ACC Davy Beck (PSNI), Sonya McMullan (Women’s Aid NI), alongside SEUPB CEO Gina McIntyre, SEUPB Director of Managing Authority Declan McGarrigle, Fionnuala French from The Executive Office and Dr Siobhan McAlister from Queen’s University Belfast. Violence against women and girls remains a challenge that affects every community. Through PEACEPLUS, projects across Northern Ireland and the border counties have an opportunity to support prevention, challenge harmful attitudes and contribute to safer, more inclusive communities.