Special EU Programmes Body: PEACE PLUS 2021-27
Overview
Peace Plus will build on previous PEACE & INTERREG Programmes to promote peace and prosperity in Ireland. It will help mitigate the impact of Brexit and COVID, particularly on the most marginalised people and border communities.
The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is responsible for managing PEACEPLUS and is working on the content and timing of the funding calls across the six key themes of the Programme.
In July 2022, the European Commission formally adopted the €1.1 billion Programme which represents a strong partnership between the EU, the Governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive, all of whom have supported and approved its development. The next step is the finalisation and ratification of the arrangements between the United Kingdom and the European Commission, which is anticipated in the Autumn, and will see the launch of the Programme and funding calls opened.
Funding Available
The European Commission and the Irish Government have jointly committed €206m to the PEACE PLUS Programme with the British Government providing at least €560m (£500m) to the Programme. With the Executive €150m (£134m) and Irish Government €52m providing additional match funding, this will now result in a total PEACE PLUS Programme budget of approximately €1bn.
Objectives
The overall objective of the PEACE PLUS Programme will be to build prosperity and peace within the region, to ensure that this Programme will leave a lasting and tangible legacy. The Programme will have two interlinked core objectives, firstly to take advantage of the opportunities and address the needs arising from the peace process, in order to boost economic growth and stimulate social and economic regeneration and secondly to take action to promote social inclusion, particularly for those at the margins of economic and social life.
The Programme will invest in efforts to inspire, equip and connect people to establish sustainable projects. The Programme will help to address long standing social and economic challenges which have, and continue to impact on communities, particularly those in rural border areas whilst recognising the ongoing challenges that exist in urban settings throughout the region and the devastating impact of COVID-19 on society.
The detail of the thematic areas developed for the programme will be presented during the statutory consultation, however we can inform you that the framework developed for PEACE PLUS includes the following six themes:
Theme 1: Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities
Theme 2: Delivering Economic Regeneration and Transformation
Theme 3: Empowering and Investing in Young People
Theme 4: Healthy and Inclusive Communities
Theme 5: Supporting a Sustainable Future
Theme 6: Building & Embedding Partnership and Collaboration
Funding Timetable
A timetable of calls for applications to the PEACEPLUS Programme for 2021-2027 is available on their website.
Please note: Call opening and closing dates are indicative and may be subject to change.
Current Funding Opportunities
Investment Area 6.1 Strategic Planning and Engagement – Main Call
https://www.seupb.eu/peaceplus/overview/themes-and-investment-areas/theme-6/61-…
The purpose of this call is to support activity that will reduce the legal and administrative barriers to cross-border cooperation through joint development and management of strategies; co-operation capacity building; and identification of solutions.
It will result in the improved capacity for cooperation at strategic level in relevant sectors.
A total value of €18 million has been allocated to this call. Applications must be received no later than 5pm on Thursday 15th May 2025. The SEUPB will not accept applications after this date.
Investment Area 1.2 Strand One: Empowering Communities to Embed Peace
- Investment Area 1.2: Empowering Communities to Embed Peace - More Information
- Investment Area 1.2: Empowering Communities to Embed Peace - Apply Here