Organisation: East Border Region
Job: Communications Officer – GGSP217
Location: Newry and throughout the East Border Region
Closing Date: 21/11/2025 12:00
Job Url: https://www.getgotjobs.co.uk/jobDetails/e3711515-853e-4b2e-846b-15977c98c59a
Organisation: East Border Region
Job: Finance/Admin Officer – GGSP218
Location: Newry and throughout the East Border Region
Closing Date: 21/11/2025 12:00
Job Url: https://www.getgotjobs.co.uk/jobDetails/fad77f53-953c-4373-aa12-120b970b5984
The Special EU Programmes Body has published a call for funding applications of up to €60,000 under the Change Maker Funding Programme.
The Change Maker Funding Programme is an important element of the PEACEPLUS Programme as it allows communities and organisations to avail of investment in a more simplified form, but still resulting in a significant impact.
The funds will be distributed in tranches over three years from early 2025 to 2027 and will be delivered on behalf of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) by Pobal.
The funding call for grants of up to €60,000 has opened to applicants on Wednesday 15th October and will close on the 10th December.
Applications are now being accepted under the PEACEPLUS themes 1: Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities and 6: Building and Embedding Partnerships and Collaboration.
The Change Maker Funding Programme focuses on activities which enhance community cohesion and bring communities and groups together on a cross community (Investment Area 1.2) or Cross Border (Investment Area 6.2) basis, with the aim of embedding and enhancing existing relationships, and establishing new relationships and networks.
The funds are available to community and voluntary groups and other organisations– and are flexible in the activity that they deliver, but all projects must have a strong focus on improving cross community and cross-border relationships.
Call Documents
Investment Area 1.2: The Empowering Communities to Embed Peace Small Grants Programme – Call Document Funding of €20,001 to €60,000
Investment Area 6.2: Maintaining & Forging Relationships Between Citizens – Call Document – Funding of €40,001 to €60,000
Click here to access key documents and guides
Click here to apply.
Support for Applicants
Co-operation Ireland, in partnership with Rural Action and East Border Region are supporting applicants to the programme. If you plan to apply for a grant please get in touch as we would like to support you with the process of applying.
Support is available by contacting:
| changemakers@eastborderregion.com | |
| Phone | 02830 252684 |
Online Workshop Series for Applicants
A series of online workshops are available to support applicants to the programme. Click on register to book to attend any of the online workshops and you will receive a link to join by email.
| Application Workshops: How to prepare an application to the programme | ||
| 2 pm | 27th October | Register |
| 10 am | 30th October | Register |
| 7 pm | 3rd November | Register |
| 10 am | 5th November | Register |
| JEMS Workshops: How to navigate and submit an application online via JEMS | ||
| 2 pm | 11th November | Register |
| 10 am | 13th November | Register |
| 7 pm | 18th November | Register |
| 10 am | 20th November | Register |
Click here to find out more information about the supports available to applicants.
The PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
PEACE PLUS Change Maker Funding Programme
Application Workshop Series (Get Set)
East Border Region is running a series of online workshops for groups and organisations interested in applying for grant awards of up to €100,000 through the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme. The programme will distribute €40million over the next three years to support people-to-people projects on a cross-community and/or cross-border basis. Our ‘Get Set’ Application Workshops will guide applicants on the information needed when preparing an application. Our JEMS Workshops will provide guidance on how to apply online using the JEMS Application Portal. Click on ‘register’ to book to attend any of these workshops and you will receive an email with a link to join on the date and time booked.
Workshop Dates
18th June – 10:00 am – Application Workshop – Register
18th June – 7:00 pm – Application Workshop – Register
20th June – 10:00 am – JEMS Workshop – Register
24th June – 7:00 pm – Application Workshop – Register
25th June – 1:00 pm – Application Workshop – Register
The East Border Region local authority led cross border group has been successful in securing over €8 million investment to fund the CALM Project.
This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) under Investment Area 5.3 Water Quality: Promoting access to water and sustainable water management
Catchment Action for Local Management (CALM), addresses critical environmental challenges within cross border river catchments across the region. The project is focusing on nature recovery, innovation, invasive species control, and operational strategies for nutrient management. The project encompasses comprehensive measures to mitigate nutrient access, restore habitats, and foster community engagement.
The CALM Project partnership includes East Border Region (EBR) as the Lead Partner, Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon Council, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Loughs Agency and Ulster University.
The primary challenge addressed by this project is the excess nutrient load in watercourses, which leads to water pollution, habitat degradation, and loss of biodiversity in river catchments. This issue is exacerbated by agricultural practices, erosion, and inadequate waste management, posing significant environmental and public health risks.
The project’s overall objective is to enhance water quality and ecosystem health in cross-border river catchments by reducing nutrient and sediment loads. The expected changes include:
The Chairman of East Border Region, Ald Alan McDowell stated “EBR are absolutely delighted to be Lead Partner on this exciting cross border project. It will help to address critical environmental challenges within cross border catchments by a combination of science-based interventions and increased community awareness and engagement in water management”
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “Strategic cross-border investment can only enhance and protect the environment while strengthening the economy.
“A truly collaborative approach to the management and improvement of water quality in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland is key, so community awareness and education are essential to ensure that everyone can play their part in protecting our environment.
“The transboundary nature of water bodies across the programme area presents an opportunity for strategic collaboration. This funding will help facilitate the development and implementation of cross-border best practice and technical expertise to improve water quality across the area while strengthening relationships and embedding collaboration.”
Any queries please contact: Dette Hughes, Programme Manager East Border Region dette@eastborderregion.com Tel; 07793824538
About the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme
The Change Maker Funding Programme – due to open for applications in early 2025 – will distribute €40M over the next three years to support ‘People to People’ projects on a cross community and/or cross-border basis, delivering awards of up to €100,000 directly into communities.
This is an important element of the PEACEPLUS Programme as it will allow communities and organisations to avail of investment in a more simplified form but will still result in significant impact. These funds will be distributed in tranches over three years from early 2025 to 2027 and will be delivered on behalf of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) by Pobal.
These grants are provided under PEACEPLUS themes 1: Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities and theme 6: Building and Embedding Partnerships and Collaboration.
QUICK LINKS
The Change Makers Small Grants Programme will support the delivery of ‘People to People’ projects that empower people and organisations at a grass roots level, to make a direct contribution to peace and reconciliation within communities.
SUPPORT FOR APPLICANTS
Rural Action is delighted to be working as one of the Support Partners for the Change Makers Programme.
The Partnership is made up of 3 organisations, it is led by Cooperation Ireland and includes East Border Region and Rural Action. The Support Partners will work with SEUPB and Pobal to assist organisations access the programme and to support the application process.
Once your registration is received you will then have access to the full suite of supports available. The Support Partners will keep you informed of how to access the support and be there to guide you through the process.
The supports available to applicants following registration will include:
REGISTER FOR SUPPORT
To register for support please follow the link below to complete and submit the simple online form. Once received, the Support Partners will be in touch about how to access the supports available relevant to your organisation’s needs.
Further Information
The Change Maker Funding Programme is part of PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Further information about the Change Makers Small Grants Programme is also accessible via the Special EU Programmes Body website.
Established in 1976 EBR is one of the longest established local authority led cross border groups in Europe representing six Local Authorities, 3 in Ireland; Louth, Monaghan and Meath County Councils, and 3 in N Ireland; Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Borough Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council. Situated along the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor, and headquartered in Newry, EBR serves a population of just over one million people. EBR acts as an enabler and facilitator for cross border collaboration between the member authorities and has successfully implemented and managed over €150million of EU funded cross border projects across the region.
During a delegation to Brussels in October 2024 EBR met representatives from the Rivne Administration who were impressed with EBR’s track record of genuine cross border collaboration despite the challenges of a difficult political situation. Recognising the similarities in their own area Rivne initiated further discussions resulting in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which would be mutually beneficial for both regions in respect of capacity building activities, training, joint participation in funded projects and sharing best practice.
Welcoming the MOU Cllr Paddy Meade, Chairman of EBR stated “the worst case scenario is that we have made friends through this Partnership, the best case scenario is that we work together to assist each other in securing funding for our respective areas, sharing best practice, building and growing together.”
Ihor Pavlenko, Deputy Head of the Rivne Regional State Administration stated” I express my respect and sincere gratitude for the successful cooperation in establishing the partnership and hope to strengthen it in the future. Your support and trust motivate us to be better”
The MOU which has been endorsed by the NI Executive Office and the Irish Government was signed in two identical copies, Ukrainian and English during a live link at the East Border Region AGM held in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry on 17th December 2024.
Pictured is East Border Region Chair Cllr Paddy Meade signs Memorandum of Understanding with Rivne Regional State Administration Ukraine along with East Border Region Vice Chair Ald Alan McDowell and CEO Ms Pamela Arthurs.
The FASTER Project is calling on members of the public to share their attitudes on electric vehicles and sustainable transport
June 2022: Motorists and transport users across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are urged to take part in a survey to help identify barriers preventing them from transitioning to electric vehicles.
The aim is for local authorities to gain a better understanding of people’s changing attitudes and behaviours towards electric vehicles and sustainable transport systems to help facilitate the relevant infrastructures in the surrounding areas.
The survey, commissioned by INTERREG and delivered by Transport Research Partners is supported by the FASTER Project, a joint initiative across Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland that supports a model shift to zero emission and sustainable forms of transport.
The FASTER Project will install 73 new rapid charging stations for electric vehicles across the three project regions. The initiative has received €6.4 million EU INTERREG VA funding to further increase awareness of the sustainable options available to motorists and road users.
Match funding has been provided by the Department for Infrastructure (NI), Transport Scotland and the Department for Transport (Ireland).
The Cross Border Local Authority led Organisation East Border Region Ltd are the lead delivery partner for the FASTER Project and commenting on this call to the public, Chairperson Cllr Michelle Hall said:
“The East Border Region are delighted to be leading this exciting and necessary project. Electric vehicles are the future and as Local Authorities, the onus is on us to lead the way and provide the necessary infrastructure to effect change.
“We would encourage everyone to participate in the survey in order to help us determine attitudinal change and the most appropriate methods to support change going forward.”
Donal Monaghan, Project officer, who manages the behavioural change programme for the FASTER Project at South West College added:
“The steady increase in the number of electric passenger and commercial vehicle registrations proves a growing acceptance of a more sustainable transport system. Over the past 12 months, we have been working closely with agencies across the UK and Ireland, local authorities, government departments and electric vehicle user groups to support this transition.
“There are endless benefits of electric vehicles and other forms of sustainable transport, and we understand with the rising cost of fuel prices, people are reconsidering their mode of transport. Therefore, it is important that the public take this opportunity to make their voices heard and let us know exactly how we can support them on their travel choices.”
Survey respondents will be entered into a prize draw with the opportunity to win a £100 Amazon Gift Card. The closing date for the receipt of completed surveys is Friday 15th July.
The survey is available now at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/IRSust and further information about the study can be obtained by emailing interreg@transportresearch.org
Find out more about FASTER by visiting www.fasterevcharge.com
Please click link to view East Border Region’s 2021 Annual Report to view EBRs cross border activity with our Member Local Authorities and across our INTERREG VA projects throughout 2021.
Please click on attachments below to view details and access application form and supplementary info relating to a new job opportunity at East Border Region Ltd
Advertisement East Border Region Ltd Jan 22
Application Form Finance Admin Officer Jan 22
A recent survey developed by Transport Research Partners in association with the FASTER Project partnership examined the attitudes of motorists and road users across Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland (Border Region) and Western Scotland to the the usage of electric and low emission vehicles. 1,485 responses were received, with 52% of all respondents indicating that they were considering the switch to an electric vehicle when making their next vehicle purchase.
A project supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the FASTER Project has received funding of €6.47 million to install 73 rapid (50 KW capacity minimum) charging stations across the project regions before May 2023 to help ease motorist concerns in respect of the public charging infrastructure provision. Match-funding for the project has also been provided by the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, the Department for Transport in Ireland and Transport Scotland
98% of drivers responding to the public survey reported having regular access to a private vehicle, with over a third of this surveyed currently owning a Battery Electric, Plug In Hybrid or Mild Hybrid vehicle. Key factors influencing survey respondents use of electric vehicles included the performance of the vehicles in comparison to traditional petrol and diesel powered engines, their benefits for the environment and the health of the motorist and the increasing availability of used electric vehicles on the market.
However, despite the growth in sales of electric and low emission vehicles in recent months, key concerns remain, particularly around the range and purchase cost of the vehicles. 88% of motorists reflected that the range capabilities of electric vehicles was a major factor in their decision making process. Motorists responding to the survey claimed that they would require vehicles to achieve a range of 240 miles on a single charge, despite findings that the average daily journey of those surveyed was just over 13 miles. The purchase price of electric vehicles when compared to traditionally fuelled vehicles was also of concern to 86% of motorists.
The FASTER Project will address concern over public charging infrastructure. 95% of all those questioned as part of the survey believe that the existing public charging infrastructure is insufficient, and infrastructure requirements forecast that up to 700 charging points will need to be installed each day across the UK to support the government’s target of banning the sale of all new petrol and diesel engine vehicles in 2030.
Reflecting on the survey results, Donal Monaghan, Faster Project Officer at South West College said:
‘This survey provides a very clear demonstration that there is a growing acceptance of electric and low emission vehicles across the programme regions. Motorists are seeing the benefits that these vehicles can bring but there remains a number of barriers affecting electric vehicle uptake, including cost, range anxiety and the current public charging provision.
With the role out of the FASTER Project infrastructure supported by a number of educational and awareness building campaigns, the project partners hope that we can alleviate the concerns of motorists and help them recognise that the benefits of electric vehicles will outweigh the challenges referenced.’
James Cooper, Transport Research Partners added:
“The level of engagement and open discussion supported by this survey will have a tangible effect in understanding and focusing knowledge on electric vehicles and the supporting infrastructure and will provide significant benefits for the FASTER Project and its activities moving forward.”
Further information about the FASTER Project is now available at www.fasterevcharge.com
