€19.2M PEACEPLUS Funding Boost for Ulster Wildlife-led PEAT+ Project to Restore Vital Peatlands

PEAT+ Project: Restoring Peatlands, Protecting Nature
Ulster Wildlife is leading a major cross-border initiative — the PEAT+ Project — with a €19.2 million investment through the PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

This transformative project will restore peatlands, boost biodiversity, and tackle climate change across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.


The project is delivered in partnership with:
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon District Council
Fermanagh & Omagh District Council
Mourne Heritage Trust
Atlantic Technological University – Donegal
Crichton Carbon Centre
RTÉ (expected partner).

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will play a key role in the project, with part of the work focusing on the Slieve Gullion Special Area of Conservation (SAC) — a vital landscape for nature and heritage.

Why Peatlands Matter
Peatlands are powerful natural allies. They:
-Store carbon and help fight climate change
-Regulate water and reduce flood risks
-Support rare wildlife and preserve history
Yet many peatlands are damaged and need urgent restoration. PEAT+ will bring them back to life.

What PEAT+ Will Do
With €19.2 million in funding, the project will:
Restore peatlands across 18 sites
Improve habitat quality and carbon capture
Protect rare species like the golden plover and large heath butterfly
Preserve archaeological features
Improve water quality and reduce wildfire risk

How It Works
The project is built around three key areas:
Conservation Planning & Design
Using satellite data and ecological records to guide restoration and land use.
Peatland Restoration
On-the-ground work to bring habitats back to a healthy condition.
Community Engagement & Research
Involving landowners, volunteers, and local communities in long-term stewardship.

Ulster Wildlife and its partners — including Newry, Mourne and Down District Council — will work together over the next four years to deliver meaningful change for people, nature, and climate.