The transformation of a former military barracks in Co Down is among projects that will benefit from £65 million (€77 million) in peace grants.

The funding will also support the creation of an air dome in Londonderry and the improvement of shared space at an interface in north Belfast.

Six projects in total won their investment tenders through Peaceplus, a program managed by the EU Special Programs Body (SEUPB).

They include a participation, wellbeing and shared learning center at the former military base in Ballykinlar, Co Down, a dome at Ulster University on the former Foyle College site in Derry for an arena covered with a synthetic playing field and capacity for thousands of people. spectators.

Successful projects also include Reconnected Belfast, a project at the Waterworks and Alexandra Park which aims to see further progress towards removing peace walls and improving green spaces for use by local residents, while the project The Riverine cross-border will see the creation of 30 acres of parks and a new community pavilion stretching from Strabane in County Tyrone to Lifford in County Donegal.

Meanwhile, the Ballycastle shared space project will see sports facilities improved on the grounds of the town’s planned shared education campus, and investment will be made in the Shannonside Peace Arena in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim .

Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons welcomed the funding.

“My ambition is to implement policies and programs that will have a real and significant impact, that will be sustainable and that will bring tangible and lasting benefits,” he said.

“My department has already supported 25 capital construction projects under the Shared Spaces element of the Peace III and Peace IV programmes, which were delivered in partnership with the European Union Special Programs Agency.

“These projects have clearly demonstrated the many positive impacts that such investments can have on society as a whole. So I’m happy that we can capitalize on this success by supporting these new shared spaces.

“I would like to congratulate each of the projects for successfully securing funding for their proposals.”

Ireland’s Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, also welcomed the plans.

“We have witnessed the benefits of developing these shared spaces under the various peace programs, which have brought real change through land repurposing, reimagining existing buildings and spaces, creating new parks and infrastructure and regeneration of the peace line interface barriers. “, she said.

“These shared spaces, stunning to look at, have a huge transformational impact and support economic and tourism opportunities in the region, while ensuring all communities come together in a neutral and safe space. I am sure this program will not be sustainable. different.”

SEUPB chief executive Gina McIntyre said there had been a “huge response” to the funding appeal, which she said demonstrated the public’s appetite and need for shared spaces.

“We have seen in previous peace programs how shared civic spaces can act as beacons of hope within a community, real catalysts for change and improved socio-economic environments,” she said. declared.

“I am delighted that, through Peaceplus, we can provide six further transformed and repurposed facilities for people across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

“These new facilities will provide places where people can come together, collaborate and interact with each other in a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment. They are crucial for peacebuilding and reconciliation.

Peaceplus is co-funded by the European Union, the UK Government, the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.