The ASPIRE PEACEPLUS project, which will build positive connections between children and young people from different socio-economic, cultural, and political backgrounds, was launched at Monaghan Peace Campus, in County Monaghan, today (Tuesday, 8th April 2025).
ASPIRE (Advancing Shared Partnerships through Inclusive Relationships in Education) is led by the Education Authority (EA), alongside Léargas, Early Years- the organisation for young children, National Childhood Network and the Fermanagh Trust. The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Through collaboration between and within pre-schools and schools ASPIRE will promote good relations and empower children and young people to contribute to a more cohesive, peaceful and prosperous society.
The project, which will receive €34.5m (£29m) in PEACEPLUS funding from the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), aims to engage with up to 110,000 pupils and 1,761 educators in long term cross-sectoral and cross-border partnerships over the next four years. Project partners will also work with stakeholders to harness digital technology to develop and deliver innovative and creative programmes and resources for pupils, educators, and wider communities.
Minister for Education, Helen McEntee said:
“The ASPIRE Project, in supporting inclusion and collaboration, exemplifies the values of partnerships, which are essential in creating environments in which children, young people and educators from all backgrounds can be empowered and can succeed. Building strong, supportive partnerships is at the heart of fostering an inclusive education system that serves all backgrounds. It also holds immense potential to strengthen our educational framework and help to build meaningful connections across the island.
“It is fantastic to see that up to 110,000 students will engage with ASPIRE in the coming years, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact the project has on the educational landscape for all.”
Education Minister for Northern Ireland, Paul Givan, said:
“The ASPIRE cross border, cross community programme will support more pre-school settings and schools than ever before to provide high quality, shared learning experiences for significant numbers of children and young people.
“I am confident that through the wide range of exciting and innovative opportunities from ASPIRE, the project will contribute to real and long-lasting change, harnessing the power of co-operation for years to come.”
Special EU Programmes Body (SEPUB) Chief Executive, Gina McIntyre, said:
“Bringing children and young people from different communities and different backgrounds together at the earliest opportunity is vital
to breaking down divisions and segregation, and provides an opportunity to create an integrated, equal and shared society. I would like to congratulate the Education Authority and all the partners involved in this transformational project, ASPIRE.
“The support from the PEACEPLUS programme for the Shared Learning Together Education Programme is designed to increase the level of virtual contact between young people from diverse communities – including those experiencing socio-economic deprivation and this programme will support tens of thousands of children and young people to see that differences between each of us is not a cause for division but celebration and an opportunity for learning and growth.
“I look forward to closely following the delivery of what is a diverse and ambitious programme that will have a lasting impact on this and future generations of young people.”
ASPIRE Project Manager, Antoin Moran, said:
“The ASPIRE Project represents a significant step forward in promoting good relations and facilitating opportunities for children and young people, educators and communities from diverse backgrounds to come together to develop positive partnerships and move towards building a more peaceful and prosperous future.”
A series of symposiums and festivals of learning will be facilitated during the four-year programme. This will enable a range of educational partners to share learning and explore new approaches to embedding collaboration across the programme area. These events will build relationships and networks between all educational stakeholders with an aim to forging long lasting relationships beyond the lifespan of the project.
Ends.
Notes to Editor
- The ASPIRE Project will build on the successes of previous projects; the Shared Education Signature Project (SESP), CASE Peace IV and Sharing from the Start.
- The project aims to create system-wide change with collaboration at the core. New partnerships will be established, and existing partnerships advanced.
- Pupils will engage in shared learning programmes which will improve outcomes, build positive relationships and improve skills that will empower them to be positive contributors to society.
- The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
- PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The total value of PEACEPLUS is €1.14 billion.
- 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.
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