Date: 09 Oct 2025
€80,000 PEACEPLUS Programme Launched to Promote Inclusion, Healing, and Leadership in Letterkenny/Milford
New “Ethical and Shared Remembering” initiative aims to elevate underrepresented voices and build stronger cross-community and cross-border connections throughout Donegal
A major peacebuilding initiative has been launched in the Letterkenny/Milford Municipal District, as Customer Service Excellence Ireland (CSEI) unveiled its new Ethical and Shared Remembering programme. The project is funded by an €80,000 allocation from Donegal’s €7.6 million PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan—one of 32 cross-community initiatives supported by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and delivered in partnership with Donegal County Council.
The two-year programme is designed to create inclusive community spaces that promote empathy, dialogue, and mutual understanding. Through a wide range of activities, the initiative will foster meaningful relationships while addressing issues of identity, justice, reconciliation, and peace.
Participants will engage in facilitator training and collaborative dialogue exploring themes such as human rights, equality, civic participation, religion, and cultural diversity. The programme also examines the influence of gender, patriarchy, and power dynamics on personal and community wellbeing, encouraging critical reflection and inclusive leadership.
To deepen engagement, the initiative will incorporate creative and outdoor experiences such as open-water swimming, kayaking, art, and volunteering—highlighting the restorative power of natural spaces and collective action.
Cllr Paul Canning, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, officially launched the programme and praised its potential to create long-term impact:
“This is not just a programme it is a catalyst for real change. We are creating space for new voices, nurturing emerging leaders, and opening the door to opportunities for cross-community and cross-border engagement locally.”
Charlie Boyle, CEO of Customer Service Excellence Ireland, emphasised the transformative nature of the project:
“This initiative offers more than activities—it offers a path forward. A shared journey toward a future built on respect, inclusion, and peace. Let us embrace it with courage and compassion, together.”
The programme will involve over 115 participants from a wide range of backgrounds, including minority ethnic and religious communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and young people. By encouraging civic engagement and leadership, the initiative aims to support active participation in local decision-making and build stronger, more connected communities.
Reflecting on the legacy of the Troubles while addressing contemporary challenges like Brexit, Ethical and Shared Remembering seeks to foster reconciliation and a shared, sustainable future for all.
Ethical and Shared Remembering is supported by PEACEPLUS; a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)
