What We Do
Maximising Community Space is a PEACEPLUS-funded initiative developed to prioritise building relationships and creating shared spaces where people can participate & collaborate (regardless of cultural background, tradition, or differences) in the Border Region of Northern Ireland.
About the project
Maximising Community Space (MCS) has been developed to promote inclusivity & diversity in the leadership & activities of rural communities who own or manage community space. The project is designed around 3 key themes:
- Inclusive Leadership – baselines, mentoring, development support & training
- Inclusive Spaces – activity audits & inclusive activity action plans & delivery
- Connected Communities & Places – study visits, cluster/networking events, sharing practice & building wider connections
MCS will work with rural community-based organisations, engaging them in a regional cross-community/border programme of support. It will provide opportunities for sustained and meaningful contact over 15 months. The types of spaces that the project is targeting include: GAA, Orange, church, Masonic, AOH, Young Farmers, cricket/football, parochial and community hubs and buildings.
The project received €2,753,293 from PEACEPLUS and brings together a multi-stakeholder partnership comprising Rural Action, who will lead the project along with partners, Irish Rural Link (IRL) and the Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network (NIRWN).
MCS is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)
What WILL MCS Achieve?
The Maximising Community Space PEACEPLUS Programme was established to harness the potential of existing community infrastructure and resources in support of inclusive and connected rural communities. The objectives of the programme are to:
- Increase the leadership capacity of organisations to grow and sustain meaningful community connections
- Increase the participation of women in the leadership and governance structures of organisations
- Develop inclusive activities that promote shared spaces and build connections within and between groups of people, i.e. Catholics and Protestants, minority communities and protected groups
- Work collaboratively on a cross-border and cross-community basis
The Maximising Community Space Project is targeting:
- 20 Rural Community Groups from Northern Ireland
- 20 Rural Community Groups from the Border Region of Ireland
By June 2028, MCS will have made a significant impact engaging:
- 43 organisations in the project (40 community groups and 3 partners)
- 4,160 people from different communities (4,000 people from participating communities; 160 volunteers from 40 groups)
The focus of MCS is to open up and improve the use of existing space, to increase the number of people accessing buildings that they would not normally, with a particular focus on creating shared spaces where Catholics and Protestants, minority communities and protected groups can engage in activities together, and to increase the participation of women within these spaces.
The PEACEPLUS initiative is a cross-border funding program supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive. Its primary goal is to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, building upon previous PEACE and INTERREG Programmes. The program aims to address long-standing social and economic challenges and promote stability and cooperation in the region. It is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and has a total allocation of €1.1 billion for the 2021-2027 period.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
The Maximising Community Space project recieved funding of €2,753,293 through the PEACEPLUS initiative. The project is targeting rural areas in Northern Ireland and the border region.
Of the 20 rural community groups targeted in Northern Ireland, it is anticipated that the cohort will comprise an equal number of Protestant and Catholic groups and engage up to 80 volunteers.
Of the 20 rural community groups targeted in the Border Region of Ireland, it is anticipated that the composition will include 80% Catholic and 20% Protestant organisations and will also engage up to 80 volunteers.
HOW TO APPLY
If you are interested in applying to the programme, click the link below to submit an Expression of Interest form.
The MCS programme will open for expressions of interest from rural organisations wishing to take part on Friday 1st May 2026. The programme is targeting the participation of 40 rural community-based organisations in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Louth, Donegal and Sligo. The closing date for receipt of applications is 19 June 2026.
For further information on the MCS project:
Contact [email protected]
Or phone Mairead or Evelyn at 00353 9064 82744
Further information is also available on the Rural Action website
To find out more about the MCS project,
contact: [email protected]
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