A new partnership will connect UNESCO designated sites across Northern Ireland and Ireland for the first time, funded entirely by the PEACEPLUS Change Makers Programme. The UNESCO Together project, announced by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, will run for two years and establish a cross-border network of Global Geoparks, World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves and Creative Cities.

The council will act as lead partner, overseeing coordination, governance, financial management and communications. It will deliver the project alongside Cavan County Council and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. All 14 UNESCO sites on the island of Ireland will be involved, along with six Tentative sites.

A strategic roadmap will be developed to guide long-term cooperation, including discussions on a possible UNESCO Tourism Trail. This trail would highlight World Heritage Sites and Global Geoparks as drivers of sustainable tourism, education and community development.

More than 650 participations are planned across in-person workshops, community events at UNESCO locations and online exchanges. Creative programmes will celebrate intangible cultural heritage such as Irish harping, uilleann piping, hurling, falconry and dry stone walling.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Glyn Hanna said the project demonstrates how partnership can deliver community benefits. He said it brings together significant UNESCO sites to strengthen cooperation, share expertise and support sustainable tourism, education and cultural development. He added that the council looks forward to participation from communities, schools and organisations.

Ambassador David Brück, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the OECD and UNESCO, stated that peaceful cooperation remains vital and such initiatives show the power of cultural and natural heritage to bring people together. Matt Rabagliati, Head of Policy, Research and Communications at the UK National Commission for UNESCO, congratulated the UNESCO sites and said the project shows how designations can serve as spaces for collaboration and shared action. He confirmed the UK National Commission supports the project through its Local to Global programme, working with the Irish National Commission for UNESCO.