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Co-operation Ireland is seeking to hire a Programme Support Executive for the PEACEworks Programme. This role will provide administrative and logistical support to ensure the smooth running of the programme. https://cooparchive.zoocreative.net/peaceworks-partnership-for-education-adv%E2%80%A6

The Programme Support Executive will provide administrative and logistical support to ensure the smooth running of Co-operation Ireland’s PEACEworks Programme. Working closely with both the Programme Manager and the Programme Executive, this role will help with coordination of events, communication with participants, and general programme administration. This role is ideal for someone starting their career in the community sector who is keen to learn within a supportive environment and contribute to a high-impact, cross-border programme. 

To apply, please click here

Applications are now open for the latest tranche of funding available through the Irish Football Association/Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund.

Last month it was announced that more than £2.7million has been earmarked by the UK Government to further boost grassroots football facilities in Northern Ireland in 2026-27.

And that £2.775m funding is now being made available to clubs here through the Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund, which is being delivered in partnership with Co-operation Ireland.

It is part of an £85m investment in grassroots sports facilities across the UK in the next financial year which forms part of a £400 million Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme launched by the Government in June 2025.

The Irish FA/DCMS Fund aims to enable grassroots football clubs, local authorities, schools and football-focused sports community/charitable organisations in Northern Ireland to improve and refurbish facilities so that grassroots football clubs and communities have a high quality pitch to play on, thereby helping to create a better grassroots football infrastructure foundation.

Applications for funding are now open with a closing date of Wednesday 18 March 2026 (12 noon) for submissions.

The 2026-27 funding guidance notes, a link to access the application process and associated documents can be accessed via the dedicated funding page: https://www.irishfa.com/irish-football-association/irish-fa-dcms-grassroots-facilities-investment-fund

The Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund previously allocated £3m of funding in Northern Ireland for the 2025-26 financial year, funding eight artificial grass pitch projects, and £3.66m in the 2024-25 financial year, funding 17 artificial grass pitch projects.

Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson said: “There’s a shortage of football pitches and facilities in Northern Ireland and we look forward to working with the UK Government to tackle that shortage.

“Through this latest £2.775 million DCMS investment we will strive, along with our partners, to create and improve facilities from the grassroots level upwards, increasing participation and ensuring football is for all.”

The minimum award available will be £100,000, with a maximum award of up to £500,000. See full guidance notes for details on match funding requirements.

Funding will be directed towards large capital projects primarily focusing on the installation of quality natural grass pitches, certified artificial grass pitches (AGPs) or Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs).

All projects must have a pitch proposal at its core, however associated infrastructure will be considered as part of the overall proposal.

Do you live in Derry/Londonderry? Have you received a letter in the post inviting you to take part in the Voice Matters People’s Panel?

This is an opportunity for residents of Ballyarnett, The Moor, Foyleside, Faughan and the Waterside to have their say on health and wellbeing in Derry~Londonderry by joining the panel.

We want to hear your views! The panel takes place over three days in April at Saint Columb’s Hall, and all attendees will receive a £200 voucher. Register now by scanning the QR code pictured on the letter, or calling the freephone number.

Co-operation Ireland’s All-Island Local Authority Forum was proud to support the Annual Joint SOLACE NI / CCMA Leadership Seminar 2025, where senior leaders from across local government gathered for the launch of the IPA Leadership Programme, a collaboration facilitated in 2025 by the Forum.

We were delighted to hear insights from an outstanding panel of speakers to the offices of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), Dublin – including Graham Doyle, Secretary General at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Kildare County Council; Gerard Murray, Director of Local Government & Housing Regulation Division, Department for Communities; Alison McCullagh, Chief Executive of Fermanagh & Omagh District Council; Dr. Cedric Chau, Director of Senior Public Service at the Institute of Public Administration; and Ade McCormack, leadership strategist and Associate of the Møller Institute, University of Cambridge.

This seminar forms part of Co-operation Ireland’s Local Authority Programme, which brings senior public service leaders together across jurisdictions to strengthen collaboration, build capacity, and support strategic learning between councils North and South.

Through shared dialogue, seminars, and joint development opportunities, the programme is helping shape more connected, resilient, and innovative local government.

Co-operation Ireland is proud to continue building relationships and shared understanding across the island, supporting those leading change in their communities.

Co-operation Ireland welcomes confirmation that the PEACEworks – Partnership for Education, Advancement, and Community Empowerment programme has been approved to move forward in early 2026.

PEACEworks, a programme to be led by Co-operation Ireland, will work directly with the Ex-Prisoner / Former Combatant (EPFC) community through a planned sequence of capacity building, relationship development and reconciliation actions. 

The programme has been designed to support improved inter-community relations, rebuild confidence, and create durable pathways into positive civic contribution.

PEACEworks is one of 15 projects approved under the PEACEPLUS Building Positive Relations investment round, which will see €34,385,137 invested in initiatives that transcend boundaries and support continued peace and reconciliation across Northern Ireland and the border counties. PEACEworks has been awarded €2,940,093.16.

PEACEworks 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.

A citizens’ assembly created by peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland to better address the needs of people living in Derry/Londonderry has issued its fourth report, with residents demanding more investment be put into job creation, mental health provision and cross community housing.

Co-operation Ireland has been operating the Voice Matters programme for four years, with 2025 participants tasked with addressing the question: ‘How Could We Make Derry/Londonderry a Safer and More Inclusive Space for Everyone?’

Through the scientific method of ‘sortition’, 10,500 households across the three neighbourhoods received postal invitations to participate. 

Thirty residents were then selected from those who responded via a civic lottery, ensuring the panel reflects the demographic makeup of the community — including gender, age, ethnicity, and socio-economic background.

The assembly took place in St Columb’s Hall over two weekends in April. 

Participants are paid for their time.

Since 2020, Co-operation Ireland has facilitated a citizens’ assembly in the city, bringing residents together to address long-standing social and community challenges rooted in the legacy of the Troubles. 

This year’s programme, for the first time integrated AI-powered participation technology to strengthen engagement, transparency and inclusion.

Co-operation Ireland teamed up with Nethrelands based AI start-up Dembrane to deliver the citizens’ assembly. Participants reported enhanced openness, improved understanding between community backgrounds, and a renewed sense of civic trust.

Voice Matters Programme Manager, Ireland Twiggs from Co-operation Ireland said,

“Voice Matters is a project that emphasizes radical community building. It is an example of the power of bringing together citizens to make decisions about their own lives. This report highlights the top recommendations, but most importantly the process builds more resilient and sustainable communities. In addition to implementing the findings, processes like Voice Matters need to be built into the way we govern and live.

“With Stormont currently exploring how Citizens’ Assemblies could be formally used across Northern Ireland, Voice Matters provides a tested, evidence-based model demonstrating how digital tools and structured deliberation can rebuild trust in a divided society.”

At the launch event in St Columb’s Hall on Thursday November 13, Co-operation Ireland presented the findings from its latest citizens’ assembly

Co-operation Ireland has paid warm tribute to President Michael D. Higgins as he steps down from office and from his role as Joint Patron of the organisation. 

As Joint Patron of Co-operation Ireland along with Queen Elizabeth II, and King Charles III, President Higgins championed the charity’s mission to foster understanding and reconciliation across communities north and south. 

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina, at a Co-operation Ireland event in Dublin.

President Higgins’ presence brought visibility and encouragement to the volunteers, community leaders and young people who dedicate themselves to building a shared and peaceful island. 

Ian Jeffers, CEO of Co-operation Ireland, said: “ I want to express our sincere gratitude to President Michael D. Higgins for his unwavering support as our joint patron. His commitment to fostering understanding and reconciliation across these islands has been an inspiration. The joint patronage of the President of Ireland and His Majesty The King remains a powerful symbol of partnership and peace, reflecting the very essence of Co-operation Ireland’s mission.” 

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Co-operation Ireland is delighted to announce our partnership with the Department for Communities on the delivery of the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund  a vital new scheme designed to boost community infrastructure across Northern Ireland.

The Fund reflects our purpose to bring people together so peace can prosper and builds on over 30 years of experience administering grants to grassroots groups, including the IFA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Fund, Covid Recovery Fund, Small Capital Grants, Peace I & II, Interreg IIIA and more.

Administering the NICIF represents a natural extension of this track record and underlines our role as a trusted delivery partner to government and community stakeholders alike.  As part of the scheme’s launch, we are also excited to introduce our new technology partner, Submittable, who will support the creation of a modern and user-friendly Co-operation Ireland Grants Application Portal. This innovation will make the application process easier, faster, and more accessible for community groups.

For further details on the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund and to apply, please visit  https://cooparchive.zoocreative.net/nicif/