A Peace PLUS Programme budget of €1bn has been welcomed by Finance Minister, Conor Murphy who yesterday announced the Executive’s commitment of £134m to the 2021-27 PEACE PLUS programme. Locally the Peace IV Programme has funded part of the Carlingford Lough Greenway as well a projects that have helped build positive relationships between people from different communities and backgrounds.
Welcoming the programme budget, the Finance Minister said: “Peace Plus will build on previous PEACE & INTERREG Programmes to promote peace and prosperity in Ireland. It will help mitigate the impact of Brexit and COVID, particularly on the most marginalised people and border communities.”
The European Commission and the Irish Government have jointly committed €206m to the PEACE PLUS Programme with the British Government providing at least €560m (£500m) to the Programme. With the Executive €150m (£134m) and Irish Government €52m providing additional match funding, this will now result in a total PEACE PLUS Programme budget of approximately €1bn."
PEACE PLUS is an EU cross-border programme that contributes to a more prosperous and stable society in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. The programme funds activities that promote peace and reconciliation and contribute to the cross-border economic and territorial development of the region.
Minister Murphy continued: “With funding now confirmed, the Special EU Programmes Body will shortly commence a public consultation. I would encourage everyone interested to respond to that consultation and have their say.”
