More than one million euro funding for community groups on island of Ireland

More than one million euro of funding has been announced for community and voluntary groups across the island of Ireland.

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has confirmed funding awards for 18 organisations totalling 1.17 million euro, just over £1 million, through the PeacePlus Change Maker Funding Programme.

The projects cover initiatives including youth leadership and non‑formal education; inclusive sport; outdoor learning (including adapted provision for young people with additional needs); arts, heritage and language; intergenerational engagement; women’s workplace wellbeing; cancer‑support outreach; and neighbourhood projects such as community gardening.

SEUPB chief executive Gina McIntyre welcomed the awards and congratulated the 18 successful organisations.

“Each has brought forward strong, thoughtful proposals that place cross‑community and/or cross‑border engagement at their core,” she said.

“These projects reflect the commitment, creativity and leadership that exists across our region.

“I would also encourage other groups to explore this opportunity. These projects funded may inspire an idea.

“The Change Maker Funding Programme is designed to be straightforward, flexible and applicants are well supported.

“Our aim is to ensure grassroots organisations can access funding that helps build relationships, confidence and connection where it is needed most.”

Successful groups include:

– The Link‑Up, a youth‑led cross‑border podcast project linking young people from Armagh and Monaghan.

– Bridging Divides Programme, a programme for young people across Newry, Bangor, Dungannon and Carrickfergus/Larne combining weekly basketball sessions with peacebuilding and youth‑leadership development.

– Growing the Community Through Gardening, which will fund the creation of a new community garden in Buncrana to bring together a wide cross‑section of residents, with a focus on women and migrant communities.

Peaceplus is managed by SEUPB and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the UK and Irish governments and the Northern Ireland Executive.