RESTART
Rural Economic & Social Transformation and Resilience Together
RESTART is an €8.4 million investment delivered under Investment Area 4.2 – Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion – of the PEACEPLUS programme.
The project is supported by Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and will deliver significant strategic investment across the border towns of Newtownbutler, Clones, and Belturbet.
Revitalising Border Communities
RESTART will help transform communities that have experienced the long-term effects of partition, conflict, economic decline, and social fragmentation.
These towns were once thriving market centres and focal points of economic and social life. Today, they face shared challenges including:
- High vacancy and dereliction
- Closure of retail premises and town centre services
- Rural isolation
- High age dependency
- Inward migration pressures
- Poor health outcomes
- Reduced access to public services
- Limited community infrastructure
RESTART responds directly to these challenges through a combined social inclusion programme and rural regeneration strategy, investing in both people and place.
Our Partnership
RESTART is delivered through a strong cross-border partnership:
- Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (Lead Partner)
- Cavan County Council
- Monaghan County Council
- Clones Family Resource Centre
- Erne East Community Partnership
- Clones Erne East Community Sports Facility
Together, these partners are delivering coordinate
Our Objective
The overall aim of RESTART is to:
- Improve quality of life for people living and working across the greater Clones, Erne East and Belturbet region
- Strengthen social cohesion and inclusion
- Improve economic vitality
- Restore confidence in rural town centres
- Build long-term resilience in cross-border communities
What RESTART Will Deliver
Through strategic investment, RESTART will create:
- Healthier, more confident rural communities
- Greater integration of new communities
- Stronger community cohesion
- Restoration of local services through social enterprise
- Reduction in vacancy and dereliction
- Increased economic activity and opportunity
Programme Overview
RESTART consists of seven interconnected work packages:
1) Social Inclusion Programme:
Delivery Leads: Clones Family Resource Centre & Erne East Community Partnership
A co-designed programme addressing key social challenges through:
- Community development & capacity building
- Social enterprise training & resilience support
- Healthy Home Initiative (12-week modules)
- Men’s Shed & Hen’s Shed programmes
- New Communities Programme (induction packs, workshops & intercultural events)
- Shared Heritage / Shared Culture Programme
2) Rural Regeneration Programme
Delivery Lead: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Focused on revitalising town centres through:
- Vacancy and dereliction audits in each town
- Regeneration guides and development frameworks
- Concept proposals for 30 properties
- Direct support for vacant property owners
3) Sport, Recreation & Wellbeing – Building Relationships
Delivery Lead: The Peace Link
Promoting inclusion and connection through:
- Sensory Clubs
- Minority sports programmes
- Parents & Toddlers events
- Sport for All
- Sport for Peace
- Cross-border health & wellbeing seminars
- Youth Community Sports Leadership Programme
4) Newtownbutler Community Hub
Delivery Lead: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Redevelopment of the former PSNI Station into:
- Light industrial workspace units
- Community gym
- Multi-purpose community space
5) Clones Canal Stores Hub
Delivery Lead: Monaghan County Council
Redevelopment of the former canal workers’ cottage at Ulster Canal Stores to support:
- Expansion of Meals on Wheels
- Community space provision
6) Belturbet Community & Enterprise Hub
Delivery Lead: Cavan County Council
Development of a vacant property to provide:
- Youth space
- Gallery and arts space
- Remote working office space
7) Cross-Border Youth Programme
Delivery Lead: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Supporting young people through:
- Futureproof Youth Programme
- Youth Arts Project
A cross-border initiative designed to build resilience, explore identity, and foster connection through arts and outdoor activities.
Investing in People. Revitalising Place. Strengthening Community
RESTART represents a bold and collaborative commitment to ensuring that rural border communities not only recover — but thrive socially, economically and environmentally for generations to come.
