The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council PEACEPLUS Partnership has submitted a £6 million Co-Designed Local Action Plan Bid to the Special European Union Programmes Body.

PEACEPLUS is a new cross-border funding Programme supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

Chair of the PEACEPLUS Partnership, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan said: "The submission of the Co-Designed Local Action Plan has been meticulously planned and considered, coming after what has been a year long process of consultation within the wider Community, including a large number of individual and collective stakeholders within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area.

"We, as a Partnership are extremely grateful for each and every individual contribution, which has now brought this plan to fruition."

Cllr McQuillan went on to pay tribute to the PEACEPLUS Partnership, acknowledging "the hard work, effort and commitment that each and every Partner had brought to the table during the Consultation period".

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He added: "In particular, we are indebted to the pragmatic and advisory approach that so many of our Partners took on this journey."

The PEACEPLUS Programme is divided into six themes and 22 investment areas. The Council’s submission is under Investment Area 1.1 Co-designed Local Community Peace Action Plans and will focus on three thematic areas to include:

• Local Community Regeneration & Transformation (e.g: Development of shared outdoor spaces which enables increased levels of cross community interaction and where possible, capitalise upon natural assets; Development of co-designed cross-community place making plans).

• Building Thriving & Peaceful Communities (e.g: Programmes designed to build the capacity of local organisations through cross community collaboration, community action projects designed to provide additional activity and services in key areas such as education, health and wellbeing and the environment).

• Celebrating Cultural Expression (e.g: Programmes which build, improve, and sustain relationships between and within communities by addressing issues of trust, prejudice and intolerance).

In total, a series of 23 Programmes will be delivered, meeting the needs (as identified by the Community Consultation) of a wide range of communities, individuals, and organisations throughout the Borough.

The bid was submitted to the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) on 14th December 2023. A decision is expected by June 2024. In the meantime, the PEACEPLUS Partnership will host a series of roadshows and information sessions regarding the tendering process and the importance of Partnership working for the purposes of Programme delivery.