Pictured at the launch of the €8.4 million Rural Economic & Social Transformation And Resilience Transition Together (RESTART) cross-border initiative are Paul Sheridan, Director of Corporate Services, SEUPB; Sheila Walker, Deputy Director of Rural Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; Cllr PJ O’Hanlon, Cathaoirleach Monaghan County Council; Cllr Barry McElduff, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council; Bairbre Nic Aongusa, Assistant Secretary for Community Development, Department for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Cllr Winston Bennett, Leas-Chathaoirleach, Cavan County Council; Cllr Niamh Brady; Cllr Pat Treanor, Monaghan County Council; Cllr Thomas O’Reilly, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.PHOTOS: Ronan McGrade

RESTART Project launched

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Chief Executive of Cavan County Council Eoin Doyle is pictured with his counterparts in Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Monaghan District Council, Alison McCullagh and Robert Burns, at the launch of the PEACEPLUS RESTART programme. Ronan McGrade

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Pictured at the launch of the €8.4 million Rural Economic & Social Transformation And Resilience Transition Together (RESTART) cross-border initiative are Paul Sheridan, Director of Corporate Services, SEUPB; Sheila Walker, Deputy Director of Rural Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; Cllr PJ O’Hanlon, Cathaoirleach Monaghan County Council; Cllr Barry McElduff, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council; Bairbre Nic Aongusa, Assistant Secretary for Community Development, Department for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Cllr Winston Bennett, Leas-Chathaoirleach, Cavan County Council; Cllr Niamh Brady; Cllr Pat Treanor, Monaghan County Council; Cllr Thomas O’Reilly, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.PHOTOS: Ronan McGrade Ronan McGrade

Published: Wed 4 Mar 2026, 4:50 PM

The €8.4 million Rural Economic & Social Transformation And Resilience Transition Together (RESTART) cross-border initiative was launched on Wednesday, February 25.

The project is designed to revitalise the rural communities of Belturbet, Clones and Newtownbutler, areas that have experienced the long-term impacts of historical conflict, economic decline and social fragmentation.

Supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), RESTART brings together a strong cross-border partnership including Cavan County Council, Monaghan County Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Erne East Community Partnership Ltd, Clones Family Resource Centre, and Clones Erne East Community Sports Facility.

The partnership shares a collective vision to enable these rural communities to thrive and reach their full economic, social and environmental potential. Together, the partners have designed a programme aimed at delivering lasting benefits and transforming the social and economic landscape of the three border towns.

RESTART will address social inclusion, rural regeneration and community cohesion through a blend of capital investment and community-led programmes.

Over the three-year programme, RESTART sets out to support 117 enterprises and nine social enterprises, deliver three capital investment projects, and engage more than 19,000 participants accessing new rural facilities, enterprises and community services.

Representing Cavan County Council at the event, Leas-Chathaoirleach Cllr Winston Bennet said: “The capital investment in Belturbet under this project will involve the redevelopment of a vacant town centre site into a community hub. This hub, when complete, will provide a range of services to local youth and older people and will provide meeting rooms and an event space. This is a much-needed facility in Belturbet and will be of fantastic benefit to the area.”

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, welcomed the announcement.

Minister Calleary said: “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the RESTART projec t. In partnership with the Special EU Programmes Body and the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, I am happy that my Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht will continue to support this fantastic project. This undertaking will have long-term benefits for the area.”

Minister Buttimer added: “This substantial funding will make communal spaces and services more accessible in rural areas. Communities will be able to realise their full economic, social, and environmental potential thanks to the planned investment.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “The objective of RESTART is clear. It seeks to improve the quality of life for people living and working in Newtownbutler, Clones and Belturbet. It aims to address the social and economic inequalities that have affected these border communities for many years, and the three towns share common challenges and common opportunities.

“The project partners can develop solutions that benefit the wider region and strengthen relationships across the border. This reflects the core purpose of the PEACEPLUS Programme, which is to support cooperation, build trust and create conditions for long‑term stability and prosperity.”