Brussels time
PEACEPLUS (the Programme) is a unique cross-border structural funds programme aimed at reinforcing progress towards a peaceful, stable, and prosperous society in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
The PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme will focus on activities which enhance community cohesion and bring communities and groups together on a cross community (Investment Area 1.2) or Cross Border (Investment Area 6.2) basis, with the aim of embedding and enhancing existing relationships, and establishing new relationships and networks.
The PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme objective is to promote positive relations characterised by respect, where cultural diversity is celebrated and people can live, learn, and socialise together, free from prejudice, hate and intolerance.It will result in communities and organisations at all levels across the Programme Area, empowered to fulfil their potential in the creation of a more peaceful and prosperous society.
Investment Area 1.2 - Empowering Communities to Embed Peace
This grant will support Cross-community Projects that:
• Empower people, communities and groups / organisations at a grassroots level to contribute to peace and reconciliation (through a bottom-up approach)
• Through support for people-to-people activities and programmes
• Bring people from different communities together i.e., people from different religious, ethnic or racial backgrounds and/or people from different community, cultural or political backgrounds
• Approaches to peacebuilding will vary but will include a planned programme of activities that enables meaningful and sustained contact between culturally diverse communities
• A particular emphasis will be placed on supporting those most marginalised within our communities
• Enabling cross-community engagement to address shared issues, challenges and to build on opportunities arising from peace
Investment Area 6.2 - Maintaining & Forging Relationships Between Citizens
This grant will support Cross Border projects that:
• Connect people cross-border through people-to-people programmes, activities and events that bring people together, build relationships and contribute to the social and civic cohesion of communities
• Build and embed mutual understanding, collaboration and cross border partnerships between people, communities, groups and organisations
• Promote cross-border cooperation between citizens around specific shared challenges that impact on communities
Peace projects funded through the small grant programme should incorporate significant and sustained contact between individuals and groups from different community, cultural and political backgrounds; the outcomes of which are clearly linked to improved community relations. The thematic focus of these projects may span a broad range of areas and groups, including, but not exhaustive:
• children and young people
• sport
• arts and culture
• history and narratives of the conflict
• victims and survivors
• ex-prisoners
• members (including former members) of the security services
• health and wellbeing
• community education/ safety/ regeneration
• social innovation/enterprise
• Environment and Climate
• Disability
All Projects should have at least two formal partners i.e. two constituted groups.
Who is eligible to apply:
• Non-government organisations (NGOs)
• Local community groups
• Associations, including those focused on social inclusion opportunities, ex-offenders, sports, arts, history and cultural bodies,
• Voluntary Sector Organisations
• Local Traveller and Migrant Organisations
• Disability support Organisations
• Organisations representing any of the groups listed above
• Universities, Schools, Colleges, Higher Education, Research Institutions
Please note the above is not an exhaustive list, other bodies may be considered eligible.
• Organisations that operate for private profit are not eligible to apply.
All Projects should have at least two formal partners i.e. two constituted groups.
A total value of EUR 40 000 000 has been allocated to this Investment Area with individual projects from €10,000 to €100,000.
100% of eligible costs can be grant funded.
The duration of project depends on the funding tier you are applying to.
If you are applying for a tier 1 micro grant e.g. €10,000-€20,000 (for Investment Area 1.2) and€10,000-€40,000 (for Investment Area 6.2) you have up to 12 months to complete your project. If you are applying for a tier 2 project e.g. €20,001- €60,000 (for Investment Area 1.2) and €40,001-€60,000 (for Investment Area 6.2) you have 12-18 months to complete your project. For projects over €60,001 to a maximum of €100,000 you have18-24 months to complete your project.
Please note these are the maximum times available, projects should aim to complete as soon as possible within these timeframes.
Brussels time
