More than €46m funding for seven rural regeneration projects
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA
More than €46 million in funding has been awarded to seven rural regeneration projects in the North and the border counties.
The Peaceplus funding will help to create family hubs, social enterprise, green infrastructure and social farming, resulting in 25,000 participants accessing new rural facilities and services.
Peaceplus is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the British and Irish governments and the Northern Executive.
A total of €46,190,355 has been made in awards.
The projects receiving the funding will be:
– The Healthy Active Rural Communities (HARC) project (€7,601,993) will focus on strengthening rural communities across Derry, Tyrone and Donegal.
– The Rebuilding Together – Building Healthy Communities project (€5,722,677) aims to provide facilities and services currently lacking in the rural area of Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh.
– The Rural Economic and Social Transformation And Resilience Together (RESTART) project (€8,412,327). Led by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, its aim is to improve the quality of life of people living and working in the cross-border areas of Newtownbutler in Co Fermanagh, Clones in Co Monaghan and Belturbet in Co Cavan.
– The Unlocking the Potential of Rural Innovation and Social Enterprise (RiSE) project (€3,971,440). Led by Rural Action, RiSE aims to , develop and raise awareness of social enterprise (SE) activities within rural areas in Northern Ireland and the border counties.
– The Growing Together: Social Farming for Peace and Inclusion (SoPI) project (€6,223,914.72). It aims to enhance and increase the use of social farms to deliver a peace dividend through social farming placements, community events and education and training.
– The Three Villages – One Community project (€6,721,047). Led by Ederney Community Development Trust, the project has been designed to deliver health, wellbeing, and social enterprise focused infrastructure in Ederney and Kesh in Co Fermanagh, and Pettigo in Co Donegal.
– The Walking for All (WFA) project (€7,536,957.08). Led by Outscape, the project highlights the benefits of led walking in improving health and fostering community connections.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary said: “These projects will be ed under the Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion Investment Area, and will create a more cohesive society through an increased provision of shared space and services in rural areas.
“The actions ed under this investment area are far-reaching, from health and well-being projects, to agricultural diversification and social enterprise .
“These initiatives will facilitate the development of centralised facilities that provide essential family services and promote green infrastructure, thereby encouraging active lifestyles and bolstering enterprise and tourism in rural areas, including those that span across borders.”
Stormont Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said: “The breadth of projects funded shows the commitment of local voluntary, community and social enterprise groups, local authorities and academics to work collaboratively to address a range of pressing issues, whilst building the capacity of rural communities.”
SEUPB chief executive Gina McIntyre said: “Among the many welcome initiatives will be the deployment of resources to agricultural diversification programmes and development of social farms for social and economic benefit, alongside the development and delivery of rural-specific programmes to 65 social enterprises – including those focused on increasing health and wellbeing.”
