PEACEPLUS - Summary of Projects

The Ards and North Down PEACEPLUS Local Action Plan

The programme will support the delivery of 23 projects under three strategic themes:

Theme 1 - Local Community Regeneration and Transformation: 3 Capital Projects

1.1: Bangor Cycle Park Project - Located at Bangor Sportsplex

A capital project which will transform an unused piece of land (Council owned) creating a pioneering community facility designed to promote health, inclusion, and social cohesion through cycling. The enhanced facilities and pathways will lead to increased levels of cross community interaction and will include five separate cycling facilities

a pump-track,
a BMX racing track,
an Inclusive-Cycling-Area,
an Accessible Learn-To-Ride area
cross country (XC) trails).

These unique spaces will be unified by a central community café and workshop, serving as a social hub that fosters connection, collaboration, and shared wellbeing among participants of all ages and abilities.

1.2: Donaghadee Pump Park - Located at The Commons, Donaghadee

A capital project identified within the Commons Park Masterplan. This project will act as a catalyst for ongoing improvements to the area helping to grow, develop, and maintain relationships between all communities. It will create a safe, shared space where everyone feels welcomed and will enhance awareness of Donaghadee's commitment to peace and a healthy environment. The space (Council owned) will create a common ground for all communities to come together in celebration of their community, area, and heritage.

The indicative design of the Donaghadee Pump Track will include:

2m wide track forming a continuous circuit
3m wide surrounding safety area
Landscape planting/seating area

1.3: Portaferry Parklands

A capital project which will include:

Park Hub Building Refurbishment providing community and visitor facilities to support wider use of the park as a place to meet
Tree Space Canopy for use as a community gathering space amongst the trees enabling outdoor learning and music

For more information about the three PEACEPLUS Capital Projects, please visit PEACEPLUS Capital Projects - Ards and North Down Borough Council

Theme 2 - Building Thriving and Peaceful Communities: 11 Projects

TPC1a: Womens Resilience, Inclusion & Empowerment

This programme which will engage with groups of women across the borough particularly in areas of disadvantage, and include those from new communities. The project will be delivered with a view to increasing confidence, building resilience and self-esteem among women to engage in peace building and community regeneration activities on a cross community basis.

TPC1b: Community Resilience, Inclusion & Empowerment

A programme which will engage with groups the borough particularly in areas of disadvantage and including those from new communities. The project will deliver with a view to building greater citizenship and cohesion across the borough, creating networking opportunities within shared spaces; rebuilding volunteerism across the Borough post Covid; building skills and resilience across community groups on a cross community basis that addresses legacy issues.

TPC2: Engagement & Leadership through Sports & Arts

A multi sports and arts and personal development programme which will work with young people at risk of paramilitary influence and who could benefit from engagement in new activities both within and outside their local area.

TPC3: Education Shared Trips

A programme for young people aged 16-25 years from across a range of borough based youth organisations. The project aims to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of hatred, prejudice and discrimination on people and through this build a cohort of more informed cross community youth leaders.

TPC4a: Tour, Talk, Taste and Living History

An activity programme to participants across 6 historic sites that has helped chart the evolution of Ards and North Down area. The project will help to break down barriers and build understanding and awareness of the past and how it has influenced the area today.

TPC4b: Bringing Life to our Historical Heritage

A programme which will bring life to 2-3 Historical Heritage sites across the borough using cutting edge augmented reality technology and drone technology through a co-produced project. Engaging with young and older people will help to break down barriers and build understanding and awareness of the past and how it has influenced the area today.

TPC4c: Cross Community Musical Traditions Programme

A programme engaging participants in the creation and showcasing of a new music and dance creation. The project will break down myths and misperceptions about musical traditions across the Borough while building new relationships across different music and dance genres.

TPC5a: Urban Sports Programme

A programme encouraging young people aged 8 - 16 years with different traditions and abilities to get involved in Scooters, BMX, Parkour or Skateboarding while building new relationships.

TPC5a: Disability Sports Programme

A programme encouraging young people aged 8 - 16 years with different traditions and abilities to get involved in Scooters, BMX, Parkour or Skateboarding while building new relationships.

TPC6: Education programme for older and younger people

An intergenerational programme which will create opportunities for older people, young people and those from ethnic communities across the Borough to engage in a mutual exchange programme of old and new skills e.g.; IT, physical activity, crafts, sign language etc.

TPC7: Your Place, Reimaging Our Space, Allotments/Men's/Hen's Sheds

This programme will encourage the growth of men and hens sheds across the borough. It will develop existing community gardens, encourage grow your own initiatives and offer cross border learning opportunities.

Theme 3 - Celebrating Cultures and Diversity: 9 Projects

CCD1: Church, Faith & Belief Initiative

A programme to build trust, awareness and understanding between different faith and beliefs and those with no faith across the borough.

CCD2a: Genealogy - Who do you think you are?

This programme will deliver a capacity building for heritage groups and venues, genealogy and diversity workshops and an accredited course looking at the role of the Ulster Scots community in shaping Ards and North Down.

CCD2b: Exploring the Role of Women through the years in Peace Building

CCD2c: Ulster Scots & Irish Language

This programme will develop and roll out accredited courses exploring Ulster Scots and Irish Language in Ards and North Down. Activities will be linked to celebration events and the programme will also include workshops on Good Relations and Diversity.

CCD2d: History Tours & Stories of the Borough

This programme will involve the Ulster-Scots and WWII living history days and visits to historical sites within the Ards and North Down area. It will be linked to the 23 heritage cluster groups in the ANDBC area and will include workshops on Good Relations and Diversity.

CCD 3a: Cultural Drama Production

This Multi-Cultural Drama programme will involve the creation of a drama production including intercultural workshops, acting and dance workshops, stage and prop development workshops, volunteer development, auditions, filming and photography elements.

CCD 3b: Cultural Celebrations

This Cultural Celebrations programme will aim to celebrate and increase understanding and respect for cultural diversity across the Borough. The project will include an annual cultural festival, celebrating a wide range of different cultures and traditions and seek to increase the understanding of and respect for all cultural identities and reflect the diversity in the area.

CCD4a: Welcome Place

A programme delivering a number of activities. All participants from across the Borough will be welcomed with an emphasis on areas where there is a greater concentration of ethnic minority and newcomer communities.

CCD4b: Chit, Chat AND Connect

This programme will provide a safe space to enable engagement with participants from differing backgrounds and cultures by encouraging genuine discussion through lived experience, challenge the myths and misconceptions and promote understanding of the rich diversity within the borough.