Waterside Shared Village project shortlisted for REGIOSTARS Award
Derry's €8m community space beats a record field to contest the REGIOSTARS crown
The PEACE IV-funded Waterside Shared Village in Derry has been named among the top projects in Europe for strengthening community connections and creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to come together.
The €8 million shared-space development has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2026 REGIOSTARS Awards in the category ‘A Europe Closer to Citizens’, which recognises projects that bring Europe closer to local communities and improve people's everyday lives through EU investment.
Located in the interface area between Irish Street and Top of the Hill, the Waterside Shared Village opened in 2022 and has transformed a former divided space into a vibrant shared community asset. The state-of-the-art facility includes a community hub, sports complex, youth facilities, community garden and a range of indoor and outdoor spaces designed to encourage participation, inclusion and meaningful cross-community engagement.
Supported through the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the project was developed to build trust, promote reconciliation and create opportunities for sustained engagement between people from different backgrounds.
The nomination follows the PEACE-funded Shankill Shared Women’s Centre winning this award last year, demonstrating how significant such projects are in what they are achieving.
The REGIOSTARS Awards received a record number of 274 applications this year. After the first round of evaluation, the jury selected 25 outstanding finalists across five categories. As in previous years, the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite finalist for the People’s Choice Award. Voting will open on Thursday 3 September and will close on Wednesday 14 October.
The finalists will meet for the final round of jury evaluation on Tuesday 13 October during the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels. There they will pitch their projects to the jury and a live audience. This is their opportunity to showcase their achievements and explain why their project deserves to win.
Winners in each category, as well as the People’s Choice Award winner, will be announced during the REGIOSTARS ceremony on Wednesday 14 October. This event marks the conclusion of the European Week of Regions and Cities.
The shortlisting places Waterside Shared Village among a select group of projects from across Europe that are demonstrating excellence, innovation and lasting impact within their communities.
Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body, led the congratulations to everyone involved in the project and praised the impact it is having across the Waterside area. She said: “The Waterside Shared Village represents the very best of what PEACE funding seeks to achieve. It has transformed what was once an interface area into a truly shared space in which communities can come together, build trust, develop relationships and create new opportunities for future generations.
“Since opening, the facility has become a welcoming hub for people of all ages and backgrounds, providing high-quality community and sporting facilities while helping to strengthen good relations across the area.
“To be recognised through the REGIOSTARS Awards is a significant achievement and a testament to the vision, commitment and partnership that made this project possible. This recognition highlights the positive impact that shared spaces can have in building more connected, inclusive and cohesive communities.”
Geraldine Doherty and Niree McMorris from Waterside Shared Village are delighted with the news. They said: “We are delighted and honoured that Waterside Shared Village has been shortlisted for a REGIOSTARS Award.
“This recognition belongs to the communities, organisations and partners who worked together to make the project a reality. The Shared Village was founded on a simple but powerful idea – that by creating a shared space, people can come together, learn from one another and build a stronger future together.
“Every day we see residents, young people, families and community groups using the facilities, taking part in activities and developing positive relationships across traditional boundaries. We are proud of what has been achieved and thrilled to see that impact recognised on a European stage.”
The REGIOSTARS Awards are organised annually by the European Commission and celebrate outstanding EU-funded projects that demonstrate excellence and innovative approaches to regional development. The awards showcase initiatives that are delivering tangible benefits for citizens and communities across Europe.REGIOSTARS voting will open on Thursday, September 3 and will close on Wednesday, October 14.
Find out more on the REGIOSTARS Awards here: Inforegio - REGIOSTARS Awards.