£15.1m PEACEPLUS Funding For Belfast Community Projects

A total of sixteen community projects across Belfast are to benefit from funding of £15.1 million through the PEACEPLUS programme, administered by the Special EU Programmes Body.

Over the next three years, 16 initiatives engaging over 17,000 residents will be delivered, with everyone across the city encouraged to get involved. Key projects include:

• Youth project which aims to educate young people on the importance of peace, conflict resolution and understanding difference;

• Multiculturalism to Interculturalism - culture and heritage project which will explore history and heritage, as well as the sharing and promotion of positive cultural heritage and identity; and

• Community empowerment project that will build the capacity of local communities across the city, strengthening community participation to help shape the future of their local area.

Six projects will focus on the theme of thriving and peaceful communities, with activity centred on young people, capacity building, health and wellbeing, sports and arts and employability.

A further five projects are aimed at celebrating cultures and diversity, with initiatives examining culture and heritage, community connections for minority communities, interfaith and belief, community engagement for LGBTQIA+ communities and empowerment for ex-politically motivated prisoners.

The regeneration and transformation of five local areas across the city will be achieved through capital works and activity projects at Distillery Street, Annadale Open Space, The Sanctuary Theatre, Access to the Hills and an LGBTQIA+ Hub at 2 Royal Avenue.

The PEACEPLUS projects provide the opportunity to create a brighter, inclusive, future for all, aligning with the theme for Good Relations Week.

The event also marked International Day of Peace, with the theme of 'cultivating a culture of peace'. On this, the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, faith leaders encouraged everyone to contribute to creating a culture of peace in Belfast.

First Minister, Michelle O'Neill MLA, said: "The launch of Belfast City Council's PEACEPLUS Action Plan represents a significant milestone for the city, with a total investment of over £15million.

"This programme, co-designed in partnership with local communities, aims to foster lasting good relations among Belfast's diverse population. Expected to bring together over 17,000 people from every community here, the programme is set to deliver meaningful change across the city.

"By focusing on collaboration and shared goals, PEACEPLUS will pave the way for a more harmonious and vibrant Belfast. This is an investment in the future of Belfast, ensuring a more united community for generations to come. I am excited to see what comes over the next few years and wish all involved the very best with the programme." Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, said: "This fantastic series of projects clearly shows this city's commitment to building a better Belfast. This transformative programme has been thoughtfully co-designed with input from local people, across all communities and many organisations, ensuring it meets the needs and aspirations of Belfast's residents.

"The expected participation of over 17,000 people reflects the city's dedication to fostering good relations, celebrating each other's culture and building a stronger, more connected community. Through these collaborative efforts, all those who engage with the programme will create a foundation for peace and prosperity, leading to a brighter future where Belfast stands as a beacon of hope and progress. So thank you to all those who are making that commitment and I wish you every success."

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, said: "I would like to congratulate everyone who contributed in any way to the development of the Belfast City Council PEACEPLUS Local Co-Designed Action Plan, which recently secured funding of over €17.4million under the European Union's PEACEPLUS programme.

"I applaud the Shared City Partnership and Belfast City Council for overseeing the consultation and development of this action plan. I am confident that the 16 regional community relations projects supported by this plan will result in ongoing, purposeful interactions with individuals from different social, cultural, and political backgrounds.

"I am delighted that this wonderful action plan will be supported and funded by my Department of Rural and Community Development, in collaboration with the Special EU Programmes Body and the Executive Office in Northern Ireland. I wish Belfast City Council the very best of luck with the successful implementation of this action plan, that will be of benefit to all in the long run."

SEUPB Chief Executive, Gina McIntyre, said: "I wish to congratulate Belfast City Council on their Co-Designed Local Community PEACE Action Plan which will have a transformative impact by addressing specific needs in Belfast.

"All local authorities within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland have been allocated a PEACEPLUS budget to undertake a programme of local investment to address local challenges within their areas, working in conjunction with residents and organisations.

"This approach ensures plans are targeted at local level, addressing a range of issues including regeneration, promoting positive relations, and championing diversity."

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said: "This is a significant investment which builds upon the transformational work of previous PEACE programmes in our city.

"Following on from the opening of the new Black Mountain Shared Space Facility earlier this week – funded by the PEACE IV programme – this is another big step forward for community relations and our residents.

"All the projects in our PEACEPLUS Local Action Plan also have the potential to be catalytic for their own local communities, and our wider city, and their input of those communities has been essential in the plan's development so far.

"Together, these projects will engage over 17,000 people to come together to learn, engage and grow – supporting our goal make Belfast a welcoming, compassionate and inclusive city."

For more information on the Belfast PEACEPLUS Local Action Plan, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/PEACEPLUS