A project aimed at bringing students from different cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds together to learn has been awarded £29 million.
The PEACEPLUS money has been granted to a cross-border consortium led by the Education Authority (EA).
It aims to support shared learning in formal education settings across Northern Ireland and the border counties as well as provide training schemes.
The ‘Advancing Shared Partnerships through Inclusive Relationships in Education’ (ASPIRE) project will engage 111,000 pupils and 1,761 educators over the next four-and-a-half-years.
The programmes will be delivered at pre-school, primary and post primary schools, mainly targeted at those with no or limited prior engagement in shared education.
The ASPIRE project is led by the EA, alongside Léargas, Early Years, National Childhood Network and the Fermanagh Trust.
The Special EU Programmes Body announced the award, which follows awards made earlier this year of €13.3m for a north-south schools civic exchange programme and non-formal shared learning projects.
Gina McIntyre, SEUPB chief executive, said it is a “landmark investment in shared learning”.
“Bringing children and young people, from different communities and different backgrounds, together at the earliest stage is key to breaking down the divisions and segregation that still exists today, and provides an opportunity to create a truly integrated, equal and shared society,” she said.
“The ASPIRE programme will support thousands of children and young people to see that “difference” is not a cause for division but for celebration and an opportunity for learning and growth.”
Education minister Paul Givan said the programme “offers the opportunity to deliver a range of educational, social and economic benefits over the coming years”.
Irish minister for education Norma Foley added: “Initiatives such as this will support the north-south collaboration in education policies and strategies with a view to increasing participation and completion in pre-schools and schools”.
