Restart Programme
The €8.4 million Rural Economic & Social Transformation And Resilience Transition Together (RESTART) cross-border initiative has been launched.
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 Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Monaghan County Council, Cavan County 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 comprehensive 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. Key activities include a capital investment project in each town, town centre regeneration programmes, training and mentoring to build capacity within community organisations, sports and wellbeing initiatives to foster relationship-building, programmes for young people, and activities exploring shared heritage and cultural connections.
Over the three-year programme, RESTART sets out to:
- Support 117 enterprises and 9 social enterprises
- Deliver three capital investment projects
- Engage more than 19,000 participants accessing new rural facilities, enterprises and community services
Clones Family Resource Centre 