Project to empower women to tackle paramilitarism wins share of £4m funding

A project aimed at empowering women to tackle issues such as paramilitarism and gender-based violence is among those sharing more than £4 million of cross-border funding.

Peaceplus funding of 4,955,368 euro (£4,322,071) has been awarded to five projects engaged in peacebuilding activities in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

Peaceplus is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the UK and Irish governments and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Funding of 821,702.84 euro (£718,000) has been awarded to the BRAVE (Building Resilience and Advancing Violence-free Environments) programme.

The project, led by the Training for Women Network in partnership with the Bloody Sunday Trust and Glencree Centre for Peace, tackles paramilitarism, coercive control, and violence against women and girls.

By engaging 550 participants, it will focus on women’s leadership to foster cross-community dialogue and aims to disrupt cycles of violence. The project includes training from the PSNI.

Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: “This project is innovative and timely in terms of focusing on empowering women in community-based peacebuilding, tackling issues such as paramilitarism, coercive control and violence against women and girls.”

The other projects to receive funding are:

– BRIDGE (Building Resilient Institutions for Development, Governance & Engagement) (1,340,207.97 euro/£1.2 million). The project in the border region will use mentoring and workshops to address structural challenges in public services.

– SVC (Social Value Collaborative) (1,022,219.83 euro/£895,000). The 36-month project will build the capacity of 60 voluntary, community, and social-business organisations to measure and communicate social impact.

– LPP (Leading with Peace and Purpose) (998,643.88 euro/£873,000). Co-operation Ireland and the Chief Executives’ Forum NI will deliver a 30-month leadership initiative targeting 60 senior leaders across 30 organisations.

– CORE (Cross-border Opportunities for a Resilient Environment) (772,593.80 euro/£675,000). Jointly led by the Irish Environmental Network and Northern Ireland Environment Link, the project will engage 20 environmental NGOs in leadership development, pilot projects, and digital knowledge exchange.

Mr Lyons said: “These projects will contribute to advancing peace and prosperity for the region and reflect the recognition that the voluntary and community sector is an important partner in delivering change and addressing the interconnected problems we face, alongside local and central government.

“The funding awarded will help develop capacity and strengthen the ability of the sector and local councils to work collaboratively to deliver key services.”

Irish Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary said: “This funding will support communities and organisations achieve their potential for a more peaceful and prosperous society.”

Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities Jerry Buttimer said the projects are aimed at “improving peace and reconciliation within local communities”.

SEUPB chief executive Gina McIntyre said: “The funding will enable participation by a host of smaller organisations who can effect real change and embed peace at local community level, supporting institutional capacity peacebuilding projects and building trust and leadership across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

“The work of these projects is so important for maintaining a peaceful future and we look forward to following their progress.”