Smart Towns and Villages funding

DAERA encourages applications for smart towns and villages funding under new PEACEPLUS Programme.

The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is encouraging eligible businesses and organisations in Northern Ireland to apply to the new €30 million Smart Towns and Villages investment area, under the PEACEPLUS programme.

PEACEPLUS is a new European Union funding programme for the 2021-2027 EU period, designed to support peace and prosperity across NI and the border counties of Ireland, building upon the work of the previous PEACE and INTERREG programmes.

The investment area is aimed at providing greater access to, awareness and use of telecommunications. An area-based approach will be adopted to the creation of Smart Towns and Villages, utilising a social innovation-led approach to maximise the potential of more citizens and communities accessing and utilising Information Communications Technology (ICT) to enhance social service delivery and economic development in target areas, particularly those of a rural nature.

Find out more about the programme on the Special EU Programmes Body website.

First published 6 February 2024