The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has announced more than €11 million in PEACEPLUS funding to support three transformative projects under the Smart Towns and Villages investment area.
PEACEPLUS funding for Sligo County Council
PEACEPLUS 2.4 funding for Sligo County Council as Partner Announced
This strategic investment will promote socio-economic inclusion, digital innovation and community regeneration in rural and marginalised areas across the island of Ireland.
Smart Towns and Villages is part of the €1.14 billion PEACEPLUS Programme and is designed to support the creation of jointly developed solutions for Smart Cities, Towns and Villages. These solutions will incorporate digital hubs and ICT-themed social innovation approaches to improve access to services such as health, education and employment. The programme also supports the transformation of vacant spaces into vibrant, communal areas for social and recreational use.
A combined total of €11,058,009.46 in funding has been awarded to three projects, including the Connexus project, which sees Sligo County Council as a Partner with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Leitrim County Council.
Connexus
Lead Partner: Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Partners: Sligo County Council, Leitrim County Council
Budget: €2,461,675.48
Connexus is a 36-month cross-border initiative to establish 22 community-led ICT Connection Hubs across County Leitrim, County Sligo, and the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area. These hubs will address the social and economic needs of isolated rural communities and foster long-term regional collaboration.
The project will engage with communities ranging in population from under 130 to nearly 5,000 residents, using ICT to deliver transformational outcomes.
Staff from the three councils will support the development of sustainable digital services tailored to local needs.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir MLA said:
“It is a great pleasure to see funding of over €11m awarded to three projects under PEACEPLUS Investment Area 2.4. These initiatives will foster a digitally inclusive and connected cross-border community, particularly in rural areas where the impact will be most transformative. Through collaboration between my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in the Republic of Ireland, and the Special EU Programmes Body, we are able to create an environment where technology serves as a bridge to opportunity, inclusion, and sustainable development.
“In today's world, access to digital services is not a luxury, but a necessity for education, employment, health, and social connection. This investment in local infrastructure and skills development will empower more citizens and communities to engage with ICT in ways that enhance the delivery of social services and stimulate local economies which will support thriving, sustainable and resilient rural communities.”
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 am delighted that a further €11 million in funding is approved for projects under the Smart Towns and Villages Investment Area. It will contribute to local and national recovery and enable people to live and work in a high-quality environment, in line with the Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy. I am very pleased that my Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht will be partnering with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland and the Special EU Programmes Body in providing this much needed funding for these fantastic projects.”
Minister Buttimer added:
“I wish all the successful applicants the very best of luck in getting their projects underway. They will be of benefit to all in the future by addressing the digital divide and enhancing the delivery of social services within rural communities through the use of Information Communications Technology.”
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said:
“The Smart Towns and Villages investment area is a vital part of the PEACEPLUS Programme. These projects demonstrate how digital innovation can be harnessed to promote inclusion, regenerate communities and improve access to essential services. We are proud to support initiatives that empower rural and marginalised communities to thrive in a digital age and we look forward to seeing how these three innovative projects progress in the years to come.”
Work on Connexus is expected to commence in early 2026.
For more details of the announcement, see More than €11 million in PEACEPLUS funding for Smart Towns and Villages Projects across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland | SEUPB