The UK has confirmed that it will be investing more than £730
million* into the new PEACE PLUS programme to support economic
stability, peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. This
represents almost 75% of the total budget and delivers in full on
the UK’s commitments to the programme.
Today’s announcement includes match funding contributions from
the Northern Ireland Executive and ensures a total budget of
almost £1 billion - the biggest PEACE programme to date.
The funding will support vital ongoing work to promote peace and
reconciliation and contribute to the cross-border economic and
territorial development of Northern Ireland and the border region
of Ireland.
The PEACE programmes have provided opportunities for
participation and dialogue, and have brought decision-making and
responsibility for community development closer to the people who
are directly affected. It has funded a wide range of projects,
including projects to support victims and survivors, young people
and SMEs, infrastructure and urban regeneration projects, and
projects in support of immigrants and of celebrating the ethnic
diversity of society as a whole.
The PEACE PLUS Programme is the successor to previous PEACE
programmes which have funded targeted initiatives such as the
Peace Bridge over the River Foyle and the regeneration of the
Girdwood Barracks site in north Belfast as a shared safe
community space where people from different backgrounds can meet,
relax and learn from each other.
*This figure has been calculated from the total figure in Euros,
using an exchange rate of £1:€1.16448, noting this will change
over the Programme period.
Northern Ireland Secretary, , said:
“Today’s announcement of more than £730 million to the PEACE PLUS
programme is a concrete example of the UK Government’s commitment
to helping Northern Ireland reach its full potential as a
prosperous and stable part of the United Kingdom.
“As the majority investor in this programme we are determined
that the PEACE PLUS projects and activities will promote
stability and foster cohesion while also contributing to the
economy; building prosperity and supporting the levelling up of
Northern Ireland’s economy with the rest of the UK.
“The UK Government remains deeply committed to our obligations as
set out in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and the
institutions it created. This is why we continue to support the
work of the Special EU Programmes Body which oversees the PEACE
PLUS programme.”
Note to Editors:
-
The UK will provide over £730m (based on the exchange rate as
of 31st August 2021 of £1:€1.16448) in funding to the PEACE
PLUS programme between now and 2027.
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Some of the best-known projects supported by the PEACE
programmes include the Peace Bridge over the River Foyle and
the regeneration of the Girdwood Barracks site in north
Belfast.
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PEACE PLUS is the new programme focused on supporting social,
economic and regional stability, in particular by promoting
cohesion between communities. It is the successor programme
to the current Peace Programme. The programme will contribute
towards a more prosperous and stable society in Northern
Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. It will fund
activities that promote peace and reconciliation and
contribute to the cross-border economic and territorial
development of the region. This will be the fifth PEACE
programme implemented by the Special EU Programmes Body.
