Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.

Grants are available to voluntary and community organisations, schools, universities and research institutions in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland for partnership projects focused on cross-community relations and cross-border collaboration as part of the wider PEACEPLUS programme.

Applications will be accepted under the following investment areas:

Investment Area 1.2: Empowering Communities to Embed Peace.
Investment Area 6.2: Maintaining and Forging Relationships between Citizens.

Each investment area has three tiers of funding.

Investment Area 1.2:

Tier One - €10,000 - €20,000 for projects of up to 12 months.
Tier Two - €20,001 - €60,000 for projects of between 12 and 18 months.
Tier Three - €60,001 - €100,000 for projects of between 12 and 18 months.

Investment Area 6.2:

Tier One - €10,000 - €40,000 for projects of up to 12 months.
Tier Two - €40,001 - €60,000 for projects of between 12 and 18 months.
Tier Three - €60,001 - €100,000 for projects of between 12 and 18 months.

Organisations must apply in partnership with one organisation acting as the lead applicant.

The following can apply:

Non-government organisations (NGOs).
Local community groups.
Associations, including those focused on social inclusion opportunities eg, ex-offenders, sports, arts, history and cultural bodies, traveller and migrant organisations, disability support organisations.
Voluntary sector organisations.
Universities, schools, colleges, higher education, research institutions.

This is not an exhaustive list. Applicant organisations must have a constitution.

Direct costs associated with running the people-to-people activities are eligible for funding, including:

Programmatic equipment necessary for the delivery of the project (capped at 20% of the overall grant whether purchased, hired or leased).
External expertise and services, including:

Facilitators and mediators
Travel
Venue
Catering
Training materials

Staff costs.

Projects under Investment Area 1.2 must:

Involve at least two organisations from different communities.
Bring people together from different communities.
Place particular emphasis on those most marginalised within communities.

Projects can focus on the following themes (not exhaustive):

Groups and individuals who have not previously participated in Peace Programmes.
Children and young people.
Sport.
Arts and culture.
History.
Victims & survivors.
Ex-prisoners.
Members of the security service.
Health and wellbeing.
Community education.
Community safety.
Community regeneration.
Social innovation / enterprise.

Participation will be encouraged by those from minority and marginalised groups.

Projects under Investment Area 6.2 must:

Include cross-border cooperation between groups.
Engage people in cross-border activities around a shared interest/field.

Examples of eligible projects include:

Small-scale projects to promote citizens’ cooperation around specific shared challenges eg, climate change and people-to-people projects, such as events and activities that develop mutual understanding and cement partnerships/collaboration.
North-South joint events and activities that develop mutual understanding and cement partnership.
Linking up sports clubs, cultural organisations and community groups.

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is responsible for managing PEACEPLUS.

Tier One applications are being accepted on a rolling basis:

I.A 1.2: Empowering Communities to Embed Peace (€10,000 - €20,000).
I.A 6.2 Maintaining and Forging Relationships between Citizens (€10,000 - €40,000).

Calls for Tier Two and Tier Three Grants will open within specified timeframes throughout the programme timescale.

Applications for Tier Three Grants under I.A 6.2: Maintaining and Forging Relationships between Citizens (€60,000 - €100,000) are now closed.

Guidance notes for each PEACEPLUS call and the online JEMS application portal can be accessed from the SEUPB website.

For more information please visit Change Maker Funding Programme | SEUPB