DAERA Calls For PEACEPLUS Funding Applications

DAERA is encouraging applications for €46m PEACEPLUS funding

Applications are being invited for some €46 million of cross-border funding for biodiversity recovery and sustainability of our marine and freshwater environment under the PEACEPLUS Programme.

It is hoped the two funding programmes, which are managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), will deliver considerable environmental improvements.

DAERA has welcomed the opportunity that the funding programmes provide and is urging eligible groups to apply before the 10 July 2024 deadline.

The funding will be delivered under two programmes with €24.9million available under Marine and Coastal Management and €21million for Water Quality & Catchment Management.

The Marine and Coastal Management funding will enable a cross-border approach to the protection of the marine and coastal environment from potentially damaging human activities.

Ardglass harbour, much in need of infrastructure development. The local fishing fleet could be a beneficiary of the PeacePlus funding that is currently available. (Photo by Jim Masson / Down News ©).

And it will support the development of climate change adaptation plans to increase the resilience of ecosystems, coastal communities, infrastructure and the marine economy.

The Water Quality & Catchment Management funding will see the development and management of cross-border water quality and catchment management programmes, designed to enable freshwater bodies in cross-border river basins to improve in water quality.

PEACEPLUS funding is a new European Union programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, building upon the work of the previous PEACE and INTERREG programmes for the 2021-2027 EU period.

Full details on who is eligible to apply and how to are available at:

This is part of an overall investment of €1.144billion across the entire PEACEPLUS programme. The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland helping to foster peace and prosperity across the region.