Inclusive communities to benefit from nearly £5.1m funding across Mid and East Antrim
Wednesday 11 March 2026
The Mid and East Antrim PEACEPLUS Partnership has launched its Local Action Plan, setting out how £5,085,224 will develop more inclusive communities. The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and £748,000 of funding for The Executive Office.
Mid & East Antrim Borough Council is working in partnership with community, voluntary and social enterprise sectors from across the Borough. The shared goal is to deliver 15 impactful programmes - benefiting nearly 6,000 participants and making local communities better for all.
Projects within each programme will address shared priorities and challenges, build meaningful relationships and support the development of thriving communities. They align with the PEACEPLUS themes of:
- Community Regeneration and Transformation
- Thriving and Peaceful Communities
- Building Respect for all Cultural Identities
The Local Action Plan is a clear roadmap for shared responsibility, supporting a future where everyone in Mid and East Antrim can benefit.
Junior Minister Joanne Bunting said: “I welcome the launch of this Local Action Plan which will deliver 15 innovative and impactful projects, each designed to bring people together, support shared spaces, promote wellbeing, and create new opportunities for learning, growth, and connection.
“I want to thank everyone who was involved and dedicated their time in bringing this transformative plan to life. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter and I wish everyone involved every success as this Action Plan moves into delivery.”
Junior Minister Aisling Reilly said: “This Local Action Plan represents a real step forward for the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area which is ambitious in its vision and grounded in the voices and experiences of people from right across.
“With over £5million invested which includes over £700,000 of funding from The Executive Office, these projects are about bringing people together, building stronger connections, and ensuring everyone can thrive. I’m excited to see the positive and lasting difference this work will make.”
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, welcomed the announcement.
Minister Calleary said: “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in the development of the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's PEACEPLUS Co-Designed Local Action Plan. I am pleased that this exceptional project will obtain assistance from my Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, in collaboration with the Special EU Programmes Body and the Executive Office in Northern Ireland. The effective implementation of this plan will result in enduring advantages for the region”.
Minister Buttimer added: “The various programmes supported by this initiative will integrate communities on a cross-community basis and develop relationships which will make a lasting contribution towards peace building. I am delighted the Mid and East Antrim PEACEPLUS Partnership will oversee the development and execution of this plan, ensuring that the allocation of projects across the borough will promote inclusivity for all”.
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “I wish to congratulate Mid and East Antrim on their Co-Designed Local Community PEACE Action Plan, which will have a transformative impact by addressing specific needs in the borough.
“All local authorities within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland have been allocated a PEACEPLUS budget to undertake a programme of targeted investment to address specific challenges within their areas.
“The co-design process behind this Plan has placed inclusivity and shared decision-making at its heart, ensuring that the voices of residents, community organisations and statutory bodies have shaped every stage of development.”
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, who is also a member of the PEACEPLUS Partnership, said: “Civic pride is important for everyone across the Borough, and I welcome this planned PEACEPLUS programme. It will help transform our communities in both their appearance and service provision. By working together with stakeholders and residents, we can address social challenges and maximise impacts of local organisations to create respectful and inclusive communities.”
Local ownership will be central to the successful delivery of the Action Plan, with residents and organisations across the Borough encouraged to play an active role in shaping positive outcomes for all.
Alderman Paul Reid, Chair of the PEACEPLUS Partnership, added: “While these programmes will be delivered within a defined period, our ambition is for them to make a lasting contribution to inclusive communities. They respond to the diverse needs of our Borough, from the creation of shared spaces and sporting facilities to targeted programmes and events. Together, we can improve social inclusion, mental and physical wellbeing, equality, and sustainable development across Mid and East Antrim.”
