13/10/2026
Thank you to all who attended our event today, ‘Bridging Barriers and Building Futures: Shared Lessons from the PEACEPLUS Journey’.
The event reflected the impact of , and , and how the programmes continue to transform communities throughout Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland by supporting peacebuilding, cross-border cooperation, regeneration, inclusion, development and much more.
Since 1995, more than €3.39 billion has been invested across more than 23,000 projects, reaching more than two million people across the region.
Today’s event at the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in examined how the programmes have and continue to:
➡️ Help build trust, understanding and positive relationships between communities.
➡️ Support victims and survivors through counselling, advocacy and wellbeing services.
➡️ Create opportunities for children and young people through shared education, leadership and youth development programmes.
➡️ Improve cross-border cooperation in areas including health, transport, environmental protection and innovation.
➡️ Support skills, employment, enterprise and regeneration projects that contribute to long-term prosperity.
➡️ Enable thousands of organisations, community groups and public bodies to work together in pursuit of shared goals.
Thank you to our speakers Professor Duncan Morrow, Dr Danielle Blaylock, Norma Shearer MBE, Jemma McGrath, Jane Crudden and Nick Lestas.
Today we also launched a new publication which explores the continuing legacy of these programmes through PEACEPLUS, which is investing €1.14 billion to support peacebuilding, inclusion, sustainability and prosperity across the region.
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “Early evidence shows PEACEPLUS is already helping communities build stronger relationships, improve wellbeing, expand opportunities and strengthen cooperation across borders.
“We have made significant progress as a society, however, challenges remain. Lasting peace requires sustained investment, strong partnerships and continued commitment from communities, governments and organisations working together.”
Download the booklet to explore the story of how PEACE, INTERREG and PEACEPLUS have helped build stronger communities, deeper cooperation and a more prosperous future for everyone across the Programme area.
🔗 www.seupb.eu/latest/publications/bridging-barriers-and-building-futures-three-decades-building-peace-cooperation
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