€65m PEACEPLUS funding awarded to collaborative innovation projects to boost productivity and competitiveness

The funding is delivered through the Innovation Challenge Fund, part of Theme 2: ‘Delivering Socio-Economic Regeneration and Transformation’ of the PEACEPLUS Programme.

In total, the Innovation Challenge Fund will support 96 enterprises, resulting in 82 SMEs introducing product or process innovation. 36 research organisations will participate in the joint projects, comprising stakeholders who wish to collaborate on high level innovation projects which deliver local and national benefits.  The funding has been awarded across eight collaborative projects:

• Clibeef (€5,773,940.70) – Lead partner AFBI and partners QUB, Teagasc and Agri Search will engage with a core cohort of 12 farms SMEs (six in Northern Ireland and six in the border counties of Ireland) to develop innovative feeding strategies for the beef cattle industry, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the industry – enabling it to make changes in production that align with legislative and supply chain requirements for GHG reduction.
   
• DATUM (€8,223,630.47) – The Digital Manufacturing Transformation Platform (DATUM), led by Queen’s University Belfast, will aim to develop 20 digital manufacturing transformation plans for SMEs. Each plan will be implemented through a collaborative innovation project that aims to deliver improvements in digital capabilities – such as digital twinning of manufacturing processes, design and implementation of automation or inspection solutions, and shop floor data management and communication strategies. 
   
• HF-TIC (€9,130,024.92) – Led by Ulster University along with 20 partners in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland, the Health Frontiers – Technology Innovation Centre (HF-TIC) will establish a world-class health focused consortium focusing on next generation medical device technologies, new digital and AI technologies to support health clinic systems, and digital transformation in healthcare practice and culture.
   
• NWCAM2 (€9,981,033.15) – Building on the success of the North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (NWCAM), which was funded through Interreg VA, NWCAM2 will be led by Catalyst and will address crucial challenges in the Life and Health Sciences sector by supporting SMEs to develop environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes and products – enabling them to innovate, reduce emissions and compete on a global scale.
   
• ONEHEALTH (€9,852,752.84) – ONEHEALTH – Artificial Intelligence for Human, Animal and Environmental Health – will create a cross-border AI driven Life and Health Sciences ecosystem that drives innovation in SMEs, fostering economic growth while addressing pressing health and agrifood challenges. The project will be led by Catalyst, in partnership with ATU, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland, TNI Cork and the University of Galway. 
   
• PRISM (€7,678,718.60) – Led by South West College, PRISM (Powering Research & Innovation for Sustainable Manufacturing) will bring together six research organisations, 24 enterprises and six associate partners to establish three manufacturing clusters. These clusters will focus on concrete production and sustainable manufacturing processes, hydrogen and rotational storage, and food innovation and manufacturing. 
   
• SPEAR Centre (€8,460,763.86) – The Semiconductor Photonics Education and Research (SPEAR) Centre aims to deliver socio-economic regeneration and transformation to the North-West region (Donegal and Derry-Londonderry). The Centre will be developed around anchor company Seagate Technologies and cross-border collaboration between lead partner Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ulster University and the Tyndall National Institute (TNI) at University College Cork – the current location for the centre of excellence in photonics in Ireland. 
   
• TRACE (€5,898,405.66) – Led by Ulster University with partners in both Northern Ireland and Ireland, TRACE (Technological Revolution towards an Agri-food Circular Economy) will establish a cross-border innovation Hub focussing on the agri-food industry. By using cutting-edge technologies and fostering innovation, the project aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the Products of Animal Origin (POAO) supply chain.

PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA said: “I welcome this investment in commercially driven research, development and innovation across key growth sectors. These projects will strengthen collaboration among SMEs and research organisations across the island, driving skills development and expanding expertise in emerging fields such as photonics, digital manufacturing, agri-feeding solutions, medical technologies and AI. This investment will support SMEs in developing innovative new products and processes, fostering lasting economic, environmental and social benefits.”

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said: “I am delighted eight projects have been approved for funding under the Innovation Challenge Fund strand of the PEACEPLUS Programme, with a total combined €65m allocation. PEACEPLUS funding provides a mechanism to promote sustained economic growth, strengthening the landscape for peace. These eight projects to be funded will bring huge benefits to Northern Ireland and the Irish border counties and beyond. I wish all the projects and participants every success and I look forward to hearing about their progress in the months and years ahead.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “Economic development in any post-conflict region is essential for underpinning peace, by creating prosperity. The provision of support for SMEs, research and innovation in specific areas identified is a key focus within the PEACEPLUS Programme. “By investing in collaborative innovation through these eight projects, we will see the development of strong and entrepreneurial, innovation-led ecosystems that drive sustainable growth, increased productivity and competitive advantage.“We very much look forward to supporting the research organisations, enterprises and SMEs involved in the coming years to realise a wide range of economic benefits for Northern Ireland, the border counties of Ireland and beyond.”

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