Submit Applications for PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme

Deadline: 30-Jun-2026

The PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme provides grants of up to €100,000 for cross-community and cross-border projects across Ireland and Northern Ireland. It supports grassroots initiatives that promote peacebuilding, reconciliation, and cooperation between diverse communities. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organisations, with funding drawn from a €40 million programme budget.

The PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme supports cross-community and cross-border “people-to-people” projects across:

• Ireland
• Northern Ireland

The programme is part of broader peacebuilding efforts aimed at strengthening social cohesion and cooperation between communities.

Core Purpose

The programme aims to:

• Promote peacebuilding and reconciliation
• Strengthen cross-community relationships
• Encourage cross-border cooperation
• Build trust between diverse cultural groups
• Support grassroots, locally driven initiatives
• Increase inclusive civic engagement

Key Focus Areas

Peacebuilding and Reconciliation

• Activities that reduce division between communities
• Initiatives promoting mutual understanding
• Dialogue-based and collaborative projects

Cross-Community Engagement

• Joint activities between different community groups
• Cultural exchange and shared learning initiatives
• Inclusive participation across identities

Cross-Border Cooperation

• Collaboration between organisations in Ireland and Northern Ireland
• Joint programmes and shared initiatives
• Networking and partnership development

Community Development

• Grassroots social initiatives
• Voluntary and civic engagement projects
• Capacity-building for local organisations

Funding Overview

• Maximum grant per project: €100,000
• Total programme funding: €40 million
• Funding supports:
  • Eligible project delivery costs
  • Locally driven community initiatives

Eligible Applicants

Who Can Apply

The programme is open to constituted, not-for-profit organisations, including:

• Community groups
• Voluntary organisations
• NGOs
• Non-profit social enterprises
• Disability support organisations
• Traveller organisations
• Migrant organisations
• Umbrella and representative bodies
• Sports organisations
• Cultural organisations
• Education and research institutions (schools, colleges, universities)

Application Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be formally constituted organisations
• Provide governing documents
• Operate within cross-community or cross-border objectives
• Demonstrate capacity for delivery and compliance

Who Cannot Apply

• Individuals
• For-profit organisations

Project Requirements

Core Design Principles

Projects must:

• Promote cross-community interaction
• Encourage cross-border collaboration
• Be locally driven and grassroots-focused
• Support meaningful engagement between diverse groups
• Align with peacebuilding objectives

Implementation Standards

Applicants must:

• Meet administrative and documentation requirements
• Comply with programme governance rules
• Provide evidence of partnership structures where applicable

Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated on:

• Alignment with programme objectives
• Quality and clarity of project design
• Expected social impact
• Strength of cross-community engagement
• Relevance to peacebuilding and cohesion goals
• Feasibility and delivery capacity

Why This Programme Matters

• Strengthens peace and reconciliation across Ireland
• Builds trust between historically divided communities
• Supports grassroots civic cooperation
• Encourages long-term social cohesion
• Enables cross-border collaboration at community level
• Invests in inclusive and participatory development

How It Works

Step 1: Define Partnership Structure

• Identify cross-community or cross-border partners
• Establish formal collaboration agreements

Step 2: Design Project

• Focus on peacebuilding and engagement activities
• Ensure inclusive participation across communities
• Align with programme objectives

Step 3: Prepare Application

• Provide organisational governing documents
• Outline project scope, activities, and outcomes
• Define budget and delivery timeline

Step 4: Submit Application

• Ensure compliance with eligibility requirements
• Demonstrate cross-community impact clearly

Step 5: Evaluation

Applications are assessed on:

• Relevance to peacebuilding goals
• Strength of cross-community cooperation
• Quality of implementation plan
• Expected community impact
• Organisational capacity

Step 6: Funding and Delivery

• Successful applicants receive grants up to €100,000
• Projects implemented under programme monitoring and reporting rules

Common Mistakes

• Weak or superficial cross-community engagement
• Missing formal governance documents
• Projects not clearly aligned with peacebuilding aims
• Lack of partnership structure
• Insufficient clarity on cross-border cooperation

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly demonstrate meaningful cross-community interaction
• Build strong partnerships across regions and communities
• Focus on practical, local engagement activities
• Show clear peacebuilding outcomes
• Ensure compliance with governance and documentation rules

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme?

• A funding programme supporting cross-community and cross-border peacebuilding projects
  • Focuses on Ireland and Northern Ireland
  • Promotes reconciliation and cooperation

How much funding is available?

• Up to €100,000 per project
• Part of a €40 million programme fund

Who can apply?

• Eligible applicants include:
  • Not-for-profit organisations
  • Community and voluntary groups
  • NGOs and social enterprises
  • Cultural, sports, and education organisations
  • Disability, migrant, and traveller organisations

Who cannot apply?

• Individuals
• For-profit organisations

What types of projects are funded?

• Cross-community engagement initiatives
• Cross-border collaboration projects
• Peacebuilding and reconciliation activities
• Grassroots community cooperation programmes

What are key requirements?

• Formal constitution of organisation
• Governing documents required
• Cross-community or cross-border focus
• Compliance with programme rules

How are applications assessed?

• Based on:
  • Alignment with peacebuilding objectives
  • Quality of engagement strategy
  • Expected impact
  • Delivery feasibility
  • Strength of collaboration

Conclusion

The PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme supports grassroots peacebuilding across Ireland and Northern Ireland through funding of up to €100,000 per project. It enables not-for-profit organisations to design and deliver inclusive, cross-community initiatives that strengthen trust, cooperation, and long-term social cohesion.

For more information, visit SEUPB.