More than €1.5 million is being awarded to 22 community projects across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
The funding is being provided through the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme, which supports community-led initiatives focused on connection, inclusion and peacebuilding.
Several projects involving Donegal, Tyrone and Derry are among those receiving funding.
A project linking communities in Draperstown and Glenties has been awarded more than €93,000 for traditional music, community arts, heritage and storytelling.
More than €91,000 is also being awarded to a youth programme connecting young people from Raphoe, East Donegal, Derry City and Strabane.
Meanwhile, a cross-community programme bringing young people together in Skeoge and the wider Derry area has received almost €24,000.
Other funded projects include a Taiko drumming programme in Derry, an initiative bringing Derry women together to explore shared health and wellbeing challenges, and an arts programme aimed at reducing loneliness among older people.
The full list of funded projects is as follows:
Foyle Obon: Building Peace Through Rhythm
| Funding amount | €99,543 |
| Lead Partner | Obon on the Foyle (Foyle Obon) |
A cross-community peacebuilding programme bringing young people from different backgrounds together through Taiko drumming. Weekly workshops, intensive training, performances and community engagement will encourage teamwork, cooperation and the development of meaningful relationships.
Stronger Together
| Funding amount | €98,013 |
| Lead Partner | Destined |
A cross-community programme supporting people with learning disabilities and their families from different community backgrounds. Through seasonal events, parent and carer workshops, baby and toddler activities and social programmes, participants will build relationships, increase social inclusion and reduce isolation.
Narrow Water Music Project 2026
| Funding amount | €96,680 |
| Lead Partner | Oriel Traditional Orchestra |
| Project Partner | Cultúrlann Caisleán Ruairí |
A cross-border music programme connecting communities in South Down and North Louth, with the new Narrow Water Bridge serving as a practical and symbolic focal point. Through workshops, rehearsals, a collaborative musical composition and public performances, participants will strengthen relationships and celebrate their shared cultural, historical and musical connections.
Our Loughs Our Legacy: Native Woodland, Landscape & Identity
| Funding amount | €96,468 |
| Lead Partner | Rural Area Partnership in Derry Ltd |
| Project Partner | Lough Neagh Partnership |
An environmental programme connecting communities across the Lough Foyle and Lough Neagh catchments through native woodland creation, tree planting, talks and community events. By involving schools, community groups, sports clubs and landowners, the project will promote environmental stewardship and strengthen understanding of local natural and cultural landscapes.
Health, Education and Reality: Women’s Stories
| Funding amount | €93,989 |
| Lead Partner | The Women’s Organisation |
| Project Partner | Derry Well Women |
A cross-community programme bringing women together to explore shared challenges relating to health information, wellbeing and digital exclusion. Through facilitated dialogue, storytelling and co-production sessions, participants will share their experiences, build trust, challenge assumptions and increase mutual understanding.
Building Active Local Groups, Learning, Encouraging and Nurturing
| Funding amount | €93,173 |
| Lead Partner | Ballinascreen Community Forum |
| Project Partner | Coiste Forbartha Éadan Fhionn Fraoich, Glenties, Co. Donegal |
A cross-border programme connecting rural communities in Draperstown and Glenties through traditional music, community arts, heritage and storytelling. Shared activities, study visits and exchanges will reduce isolation, strengthen mutual understanding and support lasting cooperation between the two communities.
Voices from the Trenches
| Funding amount | €91,874 |
| Lead Partner | Rural Area Partnership in Derry Ltd |
| Project Partner | Luke Delaney WW1 Restoration Group, Cavan |
A cross-border heritage programme using the story of First World War soldier Rifleman Luke Delaney to explore shared history. Through educational workshops, heritage visits and trips to locations including Cavan County Museum, Derry/Londonderry and the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, participants will engage in creative learning and reflection.
PEACE T.A.S.K 2026
| Funding amount | €91,295 |
| Lead Partner | Reach Across |
| Project Partner | Youth Action |
A cross-border youth programme connecting young people from the Raphoe, East Donegal, Derry City and Strabane areas. Through workshops, training, educational visits, skills development and residential experiences, participants will challenge prejudice, sectarianism and intolerance while building positive relationships and strengthening social cohesion.
Arts, Connecting Communities, Empowering Seniors & Storytellers
| Funding amount | €91,037 |
| Lead Partner | Millennium Forum |
| Project Partners | Edgewater Nursing Home, Derg Valley Healthy Living Centre, Melmount Manor Care Home and Owenmor Care Home |
An arts programme bringing people from different communities together across the North West through music, movement, drama, storytelling and volunteering. Accessible and dementia-friendly activities will help
reduce loneliness and social isolation while strengthening cross-community and intergenerational relationships.
Cross Border Engagement2
| Funding amount | €85,911 |
| Lead Partner | The Breen Centre |
| Project Partner | Moville & District Family Resource Centre |
A cross-border programme bringing women from the Newtownabbey and Moville areas together through Good Relations workshops, cultural outings and dialogue sessions. Participants will strengthen individual and organisational capacity, increase their understanding of different backgrounds and cultures and support sustained cross-border cooperation.
Supporting Health, Inclusion, Nurture and Engagement
| Funding amount | €79,880 |
| Lead Partner | Edenmore N.S. |
| Project Partners | The Billis National School and Urbleshanny N.S. ASD Unit |
A cross-community wellbeing programme bringing children, staff and parents from participating schools in Monaghan together through shared activities. Focusing on physical, emotional and social wellbeing, the project will increase confidence and participation while promoting inclusion, positive relationships and mutual understanding.
Young Carers Project
| Funding amount | €79,208 |
| Lead Partner | Verbal |
| Project Partners | Barnardo’s NI and Western Health and Social Care Trust Carers Services |
A cross-community programme supporting young carers through water and land-based activities and a monthly storytelling network. By sharing experiences in a supportive environment, participants will enjoy respite, improve their confidence and wellbeing and build trusted peer relationships.
Building Relationships, Identity, and Dialogue Generating Environmental Stewardship through Bricks
| Funding amount | €77,188 |
| Lead Partner | Ulster University |
| Project Partners | Nine primary schools across Belfast and Derry/Londonderry |
A shared learning programme bringing primary school pupils from different community, cultural and linguistic backgrounds together through STEM. Using LEGO, creative digital activities and collaborative challenges, participants will develop confidence and empathy while strengthening positive attitudes towards cross-community cooperation.
Droichead Nua
| Funding amount | €76,243 |
| Lead Partner | St. Dallan’s Primary School |
| Project Partner | Monksland National School |
A cross-border schools programme bringing pupils together through STEM, drama, history, bridge-building workshops and shared day trips. Through sustained engagement, participants will improve their confidence, communication and cultural awareness while strengthening relationships and understanding of diversity and shared identity.
Connected Futures: Cross Border Youth Mental Health and Peacebuilding Initiative
| Funding amount | €57,469 |
| Lead Partner | CRISIS CAFE CIC |
| Project Partner | Boomerang Centre & Youth Cafe, Drogheda, Co. Louth |
A cross-border youth programme connecting young people through creative and educational workshops, planning sessions and exchange visits. The project will build relationships and trust, reduce isolation and strengthen social inclusion, community cohesion and cross-border engagement.
YMCA Esports Programme
| Funding amount | €57,236 |
| Lead Partner | Larne YMCA |
A cross-border esports programme connecting young people from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland through online learning, teamwork and competition. Participants will develop digital and communication skills while building confidence and lasting relationships across communities.
Creative Connections: Connect. Create. Celebrate.
| Funding amount | €39,990 |
| Lead Partner | Vibe Arts & Wellbeing |
| Project Partner | Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre |
A cross-community creative arts programme bringing adults with learning disabilities together with volunteers and families from across Mid Ulster. Regular arts sessions, a social trip and celebration events will help participants develop confidence, build friendships and reduce isolation.
United Through Sport
| Funding amount | €38,681 |
| Lead Partner | Welchtown National School |
A cross-community and cross-cultural sports programme bringing children together through hockey, hurling, Gaelic football, soccer, rugby and badminton. Through shared sporting activities, club visits and a community Showcase Day, participants will improve their wellbeing, build resilience and develop friendships across communities.
The Blueprint: Family Support Initiative
| Funding amount | €34,650 |
| Lead Partner | Artillery Youth Centre |
A community programme supporting engagement and cooperation between young people and families on both sides of the interface in Lower North Belfast. Through seasonal events, recreational family outings and environmental enhancement projects, participants will learn new skills, enjoy shared activities and build connections across communities.
Inclusive Connections Programme
| Funding amount | €33,396 |
| Lead Partner | Jigsaw |
An inclusive cross-community programme supporting children with disabilities and additional needs and their families. Through shared trips, therapeutic programmes, inclusive games, literacy and sound therapy workshops, Taiko drumming and family events, participants will build positive relationships, increase participation and reduce social isolation.
Shared Voices Skeoge: Young People Building Peace Together
| Funding amount | €23,942 |
| Lead Partner | Skeoge Community Association |
| Project Partners | Lincoln Courts Youth & Community Association and Greater Shantallow Area Partnership (GSAP) |
A cross-community programme bringing young people from Skeoge and the wider Derry City area together through workshops, dialogue sessions and collaborative project development. Participants will strengthen their understanding of different communities, develop positive attitudes and work together to create a shared project for a community showcase.
Wetlands without Borders: Exploring Creativity
| Funding amount | €18,252 |
| Lead Partner | Community Wetlands Forum CLG |
| Project Partner | Landscape NI |
A cross-border programme connecting people from wetland communities through exchange visits, workshops and collaborative creative activities. Using photography, storytelling, visual arts and participatory mapping, participants will explore their shared environmental and cultural heritage while building trust, cooperation and greater appreciation of wetland environments.
