A newly funded project will connect 14 UNESCO-designated sites in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland through workshops, community events and online exchanges over two years. The initiative, named UNESCO Together, has been awarded €93,000 from the PEACEPLUS Change Makers Programme.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is leading the project in partnership with Cavan County Council and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council will coordinate the involvement of the Gracehill Moravian Church Settlement, which was recently added to the World Heritage list.

The council will work alongside the Gracehill Trust, the Moravian Church, local primary schools and village residents to develop connections with other UNESCO sites. Alderman Thomas Gordon, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, stated that the project celebrates shared history and strengthens cross-border community bonds, with a particular focus on engaging Gracehill Primary School to invest in a more inclusive future.

More than 650 participants are expected to take part in activities designed to promote peacebuilding, reconciliation, youth engagement and cultural exchange. David Johnston, Chairperson of the Gracehill Trust, described the initiative as an opportunity to deepen understanding of shared heritage while encouraging community cohesion and sustainable tourism.

One outcome of the project will be an all-island roadmap for future collaboration, including the possible creation of a UNESCO tourism trail. The trail is intended to highlight heritage sites as drivers of sustainable tourism and education. The programme is also expected to attract new visitors to Gracehill and the surrounding Ballymena area, supporting local tourism and community development.