Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council have welcomed the approval of €16.7 million in PEACEPLUS funding for the Riverine Cross-Border Community Park, a transformative project spanning Lifford in Donegal and Strabane in Northern Ireland.

The funding, awarded under the 'Re-Imagining Communities' Investment Area, is part of the EU’s PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The Riverine project aims to create 30 acres of parkland and build a community pavilion, uniting the border communities through a shared space. A centrepiece of the development is a pedestrian bridge connecting the two towns across the transnational border, promoting intercultural, cross-border cooperation.

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Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy, praised the commitment and hard work that made this funding possible, calling the park "an iconic, progressive, and sustainable shared space".

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr added that the funding would allow the project delivery partners to create a sustainable shared space for the people of Strabane, Lifford and beyond. She said: "Considerable work has already gone into this vital project, and this additional funding will allow for the delivery of this facility of major significance for the North West region. The two Councils have been working in close collaboration to bring this project to fruition and we are delighted that we can now go ahead with its delivery that in turn will drive intercultural, cross border cooperation, and strengthen cross-community relations across this area."