Secretary of State commends PEACE PLUS programme progress
After addressing the PEACE PLUS launch hosted by SEUPB at Newforge Sports Centre, the Secretary of State visited Youth Action NI in Belfast.
Pictured left to right: Dr Jayne Brady, Head of the Civil Service of Northern Ireland; Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform; Secretary of State for NI Chris Heaton-Harris MP; Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the SEUPB; An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar; Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič; and children from the Michelle Johnston School of Highland Dance.
PEACE PLUS is a new programme focused on supporting social, economic and regional stability, in particular by promoting cohesion between communities. A financing agreement for the programme was agreed between the UK Government, Irish Government and European Commission.
The biggest PEACE programme to date, PEACE PLUS has a total budget of almost £1 billion. The UK Government is providing more than £730 million to the programme, which includes match funding contribution from the Northern Ireland Executive.
This will be the fifth PEACE programme implemented by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Relevant community organisations are encouraged to apply to PEACE PLUS funding calls which are now open. More information on how to apply is available here on SEUPB’s website.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, addressed the PEACE PLUS launch event. A copy of his speech is here.
The Secretary of State for NI, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, in conversation with a group of attendees at the PEACE PLUS launch.
Later in the afternoon, the Secretary of State and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič visited Youth Action NI, who are working in partnership with other organisations to deliver the PEACE IV funded ‘OUR Generation’ project.
The Secretary of State for NI, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič meet with young people and staff at Youth Action NI.
The Secretary of State for NI, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič meet with young people and staff at Youth Action NI.
The Secretary of State for NI, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič meet with young people and staff at Youth Action NI.