Donegal County Council and PEACEPLUS Partnership Committee have officially launched the Donegal Co-designed Local Community PEACEPLUS Action Plan, with €7,635,396.00 in funding secured to deliver 32 peacebuilding projects over the next two years.
The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Donegal’s Plan was developed utilising a three staged local co-designed engagement process, which resulted in the creation of 32 significant initiatives and impactful projects under three thematic areas.
- Local community regeneration and transformation
- Thriving and peaceful communities
- Building respect for all cultural identities
Donegal PEACEPLUS Action Plan aims to foster positive relationships within local communities that will affect meaningful attitudinal change across the County through enhanced diversity awareness, increased levels of social inclusion, and cross-community and border interaction.
The Plan will see the creation of six countywide transformative, sustainable and accessible community shared spaces, and deliver 26 local Programmes that will stimulate and support peacebuilding and relational work , strengthen the capacity and skill sets of community-based organisations, and deliver initiatives and activities on a cross-community, intercultural and cross-border basis, helping to elevate and address social and economic challenges which have, and continue to, impact Donegal’s communities.
Seven thousand, six hundred and thirty-five participants will directly benefit from projects supported by Donegal’s Action Plan, providing opportunities to cultivate more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable community ecosystems, that focuses on building peace and prosperity for all our citizens.
PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD said: “I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who helped with the creation of the Donegal County Council’s PEACEPLUS Co-Designed Local Action Plan. This plan has recently been approved funding under the PEACEPLUS programme of the European Union, totalling over €7.635 million.
“I applaud the PEACEPLUS Partnership and Donegal County Council for overseeing the development and execution of this Action Plan. I’m confident that the 32 regional community relations projects that this plan supports will result in more deep and meaningful exchanges with individuals from different social, cultural, and political backgrounds.
“I am overjoyed that this excellent Action Plan will receive funding and support from my Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, in collaboration with the Special EU Programmes Body and the Executive Office in Northern Ireland. The area will gain from its successful implementation in the long run”.
Northern Ireland Executive Office, Junior Minister, Aisling Reilly spoke at the launch of Donegal County Council’s PEACEPLUS Local Action Plan in Letterkenny. She welcomed the significant investment in projects that will help build peace, improve diversity and respect, and regenerate communities, as well as the positive contribution from local groups and organisations.
Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), said: “Congratulations to Donegal County Council and its partners on the official launch of their Co-Designed Local Community PEACEPLUS Action Plan, which will have a transformative impact throughout the county.
“All local authorities within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland have been allocated a PEACEPLUS budget to undertake a programme of local investment to address specific challenges within their areas, working closely with residents and organisations. This co-design process emphasises inclusivity, shared decision-making and the integration of diverse perspectives throughout the entire design lifecycle. These Local Action Plans are not just standalone interventions; they are catalysts for systemic and intergenerational change, fostering new skills, opportunities and partnerships that will resonate long after the plan concludes.”
Speaking at the launch Cllr. Paul Canning, Chair of the Donegal PEACEPLUS Partnership said: “As Chair, I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Partnership Members and Council for their invaluable contribution in securing this vital community funding. I truly appreciate your ongoing commitment as we move forward to the delivery stage of the programme in the coming months. A special thank you goes out to everyone who participated in the consultation and co-design process, your insight was crucial in shaping the Action Plan for Donegal.
“I look forward to seeing the transformative outcomes of this immensely exciting and diverse Action Plan”.
The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Niamh Kennedy said: “This plan represents a diverse and broad range of innovative and diverse projects and initiatives aimed at advancing the overall objectives of the PEACEPLUS programme. “The action plan designed by local citizens will benefit all our communities throughout Donegal, and further develop sustained cross-border linkage. The richness and calibre of the projects included in the Plan are a testament to our local community stakeholders, Donegal’s PEACEPLUS Partnership, and Council. I want to extend my best wishes to everyone involved in the implementation of this transformative Local PEACEPLUS Action Plan. The work we are beginning today will lay the foundation for a brighter, more connected, and peaceful future for all our citizens”.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District emphasised the importance of the PEACEPLUS Programme for Donegal. He expressed his anticipation to seeing the positive outcomes stemming from the collaboratively co-designed Community Plan. He said: “The launch of Donegal’s PEACEPLUS Plan signifies the beginning of a new era dedicated to fostering peace, stability, and sustainable prosperity for the future, that benefits all our citizens, and I look forward to seeing the fantastic outcomes of these innovative programmes.”
John G. McLaughlin, the Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, highlighted the substantial benefits that Donegal’s PEACEPLUS Plan is expected to deliver for the County. He also recognised the important role that PEACE and INTERREG programmes have played in supporting Donegal, the border regions and Northern Ireland over the years. He concluded by saying: “Projects implemented under this PEACEPLUS Action Plan will interact with more than 7,635 people, encouraging greater community engagement and cohesion, as well as enhanced cross-border cooperation and linkage. In addition to providing accessible and sustainable community shared spaces, this Action Plan will proactively impact the county in ways that cut across generations and boundaries through our ongoing collaboration with the SEUPB, as well as our community stakeholders, delivery agents, citizens and participants.”
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