Celebration event for all PEACE IV Projects at Muirhevnamor Community Centre, Dundalk.

The PEACE IV Programme has been supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported locally by Louth County Council and Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). Match-funding has been provided by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

A total of over €3.5 million was allocated to County Louth with 16 projects approved covering the three themes.

• Building Positive Relations - 7 projects, community capacity building, creative interventions, engagement and signposting, from Oriel to Brexit, good relations initiative, leading the way, small grants programme.
• Children and Young People- 6 projects ,adapting aftermaths, anti-clockwise, civic leadership and peace building project, cross border youth networking, youth arts peace programme, Muirhevnamor peace programme
• Shared Spaces and Services 3 projects

Minister Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, commented

 

“I am delighted to see that Louth County Council, having been awarded over €3.5 million under the European Union’s Peace IV programme, successfully delivered their Local Action Plan for the district. I know that the achievements and targets reached as part of this Action Plan would not have been possible without the involvement of all delivery partners and participants.  You should all be very proud of what you have achieved in delivering very tangible positive benefits for your local communities by promoting positive attitudes to diversity, encouraging the building of effective relationships with others from different backgrounds, providing additional inclusive public spaces just like the extension to Muirhevnamor Community Centre and facilitating cross border linkages.

 

I am confident that Louth County Council and all their programme delivery partners will continue their excellent work under the new PEACE PLUS Programme that will further establish ongoing Peace and Reconciliation for generations to come.”

 

In congratulating the project, Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) said: “These wide-ranging practical projects within the Louth Local Action Plan provide an excellent example of how to embed community cohesion in the fabric of our communities in a meaningful way.

 

“Whether it has been through creative writing, photography, theatre, poetry, or musical composition, using creativity to provide an alternative space for constructive dialogue and other experiences, beyond the official narrative, to be articulated, has hopefully offered a better place for children and young people from different backgrounds to start addressing with the difficult topics, such as living in a post conflict society and finding peace and resolution.

 

“It is also a testament to Louth County Council’s commitment to a multi-faceted approach to an integrated community.”

Speaking at the celebration event, Chief Executive of Louth County Council Joan Martin said “Thinking back to when the PEACE IV Programme began, we were delighted to receive our letter of offer from SEUPB for funding of over €3.5m to deliver on all proposed activities. This funding enabled this work to proceed, and this combined with the passion and efforts of our project managers and Partnership has allowed the great progress that these projects have made in the areas of building and enhancing cross community and cross border relations. “

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Cllr. Conor Keelan said “We can all be proud of what has been achieved, and especially considering so much of the work was impacted by the COVID pandemic

It is clear to me, talking with and listening to people involved on these 16 projects, and seeing the outcomes of that investment and passion, that the PEACE IV Programme has brought visible and genuine benefits to our communities.  Being at this celebration event today and getting to see firsthand the outcomes of all this work and the real impacts it has had on everyday life of participants and communities is an absolute pleasure and I am delighted to be able to share in it. Well done to all who worked on it and contributed, it is a testament to your work.”

Other speakers at the event included Helen Donaldson SEUPB and programme managers from some of the Louth PEACE IV Projects. There was also a video message of congratulations from Minister Heather Humphreys.

There were entertainment performances by Music Generation Louth and M.A.D. Youth Theatre.

Joan Martin also launched a brochure as part of the Celebration event which details all the projects that made up the Louth PEACE IV Programme. This is available on the Louth website, click here to access.