Background
PEACEPLUS is a 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. The programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and is designed to support peace, prosperity, and economic growth across the Island of Ireland.
The programme welcomes Scottish participation as territorial collaboration across borders, involving partners both within and outside the formal Programme area to address challenges, is a fundamental aspect of the PEACEPLUS Programme.
The main benefit of project activity must be to the programme area but there is an acknowledgement that there are, and continue to be, excellent relationships within certain sectors which, if built upon under PEACEPLUS, will continue to deliver high quality impacts to citizens.
The core Programme area includes Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, namely Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan, and Sligo. However, Cross border collaboration is not strictly limited to the administrative borders of the Programme but has a flexible geography depending on the topic concerned - functional areas.
Using the concept of a functional area will allow for organisations and institutions not based in the core programme area to add value to projects, by linking with partners within the core Programme area. What matters is that the benefits of the project are significant for the Programme area and that they are demonstrated strongly within any subsequent application. The location of the project or the location of the partners is not a defining matter. Scotland has been involved in many Cross border collaborations supported by The Special European Bodies.
Funding Opportunity
PEACEPLUS have launched a new funding call under Investment Area 6.1 - Strategic Planning and Engagement.
This investment area is directed towards enhancing cross-border cooperation to address obstacles that impact cross-border socio-economic fluidity and more generally the reconciliation process throughout the Island.
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.
If organisations are interested in pursing an application/ collaborating with Irish partners, the Scotland National Contact is Caroline Coleman and her role is to support Scottish applications through the development planning and submission of the application.
Caroline can be contacted on caroline.coleman@scotent.co.uk or 07763899541.
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