RESTART
Rural Economic & Social Transformation and Resilience Together
RESTART is an investment of €8.4 million under Investment Area 4.2 – Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion – of the PEACEPLUS programme. The project, aptly named RESTART, an acronym for Rural Economic & Social Transformation And Resilience Transition Together, will see significant strategic investment in the towns of Newtownbutler, Clones and Belturbet. The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The project will revitalise communities in these border towns that have suffered from historical conflict, economic decline and social fragmentation. The micro region once consisted of bustling market towns acting as focal points for economic and social activity but now show the impacts of chronic dereliction through vacant properties and lack of services. The project targets social inclusion, rural regeneration and community cohesion through a combination of capital investments and community programmes.
Our Partnership
RESTART is delivered through a strong cross-border partnership:
| Lead Partner | Fermanagh and Omagh District Council |
| Local Authority Partners | Cavan County Council
Monaghan County Council |
| NGOs | Clones Family Resource Centre
Erne East Community Partnership Limited Clones Erne East Community Sports Facility Management Company (PEACELINK) |
| Budget | €8.42 million |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Start Date | 1 September 2025 |
| End Date | 31 August 2028 |
|
Associate Partners |
Organisation | Responsible Project Partner |
| Clones Development Society | Monaghan County Council | |
| Cavan County Local Development | Cavan County Council | |
| Project Belturbet Group | Cavan County Council | |
| Magheraveely Football Club | Fermanagh and Omagh District Council | |
| Magheraveely Community Development Association | Fermanagh and Omagh District Council | |
| Newtownbutler First Fermanagh’s GFC | Fermanagh and Omagh District Council | |
| Newtownbutler Community Association | Fermanagh and Omagh District Council | |
| Galloon Hall Management Committee | Fermanagh and Omagh District Council |
Programme Overview
RESTART consists of seven interconnected work packages, The seven work packages capture the activities to be delivered by RESTART and is a combination of programme activity (1,2,3 & 7) and capital activity (4,5 & 6).
| Work Package 1 – Social Inclusion Programme
Delivery Lead: Clones Family Resource Centre and Erne East Community Partnership Staff Resource: 3.5 x Project Officers |
Key activities:
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| Work Package 2 – Rural Regeneration Programme
Delivery Lead: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Staff Resource: 1 x Project Officer |
Key activities:
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| Work Package 3 – Sport Recreation & Wellbeing Building Relationships
Delivery Lead: The Peace Link Staff Resource: 1.5 x Project Officer |
Key activities:
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| Work Package 4: Newtownbutler Community Hub
Delivery Lead: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council |
| Development of former PSNI Station as a community facility to include light industrial workspace units, community gym, multi-purpose space. |
| Work Package 5: Clones Canal Stores Hub
Delivery Lead: Monaghan County Council |
| Redevelopment of former canal workers cottage at Ulster Canal Stores, Clones to cater for expansion of Meals on Wheels service and community space. |
| Work Package 6: Belturbet Community and Enterprise Hub
Delivery Lead: Cavan County Council |
| Development of vacant property to provide multi-purpose youth space, gallery & art space and remote working office space. |
| Work Package 7: Cross Border Youth Programme
Delivery Lead: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council |
Key activities:
Cross border community project for young people to build their personal resilience and explore identity through arts and outdoor activities. |
Project Deliverables
The overall aim of RESTART is to:
- 30 vacant and derelict properties brought back into commercial use contributing to the economic well-being of the 3 towns.
- 75 property owners engaged in the Rural Regeneration Programme to stimulate economic activity in their vacant, derelict or underutilised town centre premises.
- 9 social enterprises established or expanded as part of the social enterprise programme.
- 72 volunteer hours and social enterprise managers trained, upskilled and mentored.
- 1,270 support contact hours provided for social enterprises.
- 15 new services provided through the new community hubs in the 3 towns.
- User groups of the community hubs will be cross community.
- Use of the hubs in Belturbet and Clones will consist of a minimum 20% minority and new communities bookings and user groups.
- 2 new community organisations/social enterprises will be established in Belturbet and Newtownbutler which have cross community membership and that will drive development of the social and economic heart of each town.
