The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, , has today welcomed the EU
Commission’s decision to adopt the PEACE PLUS programme which
will support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the
border region of Ireland.
The new programme, which is the biggest PEACE programme to date,
is funded by the UK Government and the EU with match funding from
the Northern Ireland Executive and Irish Government.
The UK is proud to be investing more than £730 million* into the
programme - almost 75% of the total budget. As the majority
investor, the UK Government is committed to ensuring that PEACE
PLUS projects and activities support the levelling up of Northern
Ireland’s economy with the rest of the UK, as well as fostering
cross-border collaboration.
The programme will create opportunities for participation and
dialogue between local partners and communities, bringing
decision-making and responsibility for community development
closer to the people who will directly benefit. Previous funding
targeted initiatives such as the Peace Bridge over the River
Foyle, as well as the regeneration of the Girdwood Barracks site
in north Belfast into a shared community space where people from
all communities can meet, relax and learn from each other.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said:
“I am delighted that progress has been made between the UK
Government and the EU to fund important projects that will
deliver directly for the people of Northern Ireland.
“This collaboration will support peace, reconciliation and
cross-border co-operation, build thriving communities and empower
future generations.
“The £1 billion of programme funding will drive ambitious local
regeneration projects. I look forward to seeing the ways in which
it will help individuals, communities and businesses to reach
their potential.”
Notes to editors:
- The PEACE PLUS Programme is the successor to previous PEACE
programmes. PEACE PLUS is implemented by the Special EU
Programmes Body (SEUPB) - a North-South body - and replaces a
series of long-running peace funding packages that have operated
in the region since 1995.
*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.
