New €8.6m PEACEPLUS project to benefit Derry in cross-border obesity fight

A major €8.6 million PEACEPLUS funded project aimed at developing an integrated approach to tackling obesity in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland has been launched.

The CAWT Healthier Futures project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The project, which will focus on children, will support 9,000 adults and families in Derry and across the border counties of Ireland to tackle obesity by empowering them to understand and change behaviours, primarily through improving diet and increasing physical activity.

The CAWT Healthier Futures project will support positive health and wellbeing, helping to prevent ill health and reducing health inequalities through an integrated approach with the statutory health services working in partnership with voluntary and community partners.

The project will provide a unique opportunity to enhance and complement existing overweight and obesity management and prevention programmes, by implementing innovative approaches and sharing learning and best practice.

£8m PEACEPLUS funding delivers 58 projects across Derry and Strabane

Communities gather for PEACEPLUS half-day conference in Derry

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “I am delighted to support the Healthier Futures Project, which delivers targeted support to address rising levels of obesity and being overweight across all age groups.

“By providing early intervention and weight management programmes in communities along the border corridor, this initiative promotes healthier lives, reduces health inequalities, and strengthens cross-border collaboration.

“It reflects my Department’s commitment to prevention, partnership, and improving population health.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “The Healthier Futures Project is an ambitious and timely initiative that brings together expertise, compassion, and collaboration to address one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time: obesity. It is a cross-border, community-based initiative focused on obesity management and prevention.”

She added: “HFP aligns closely with the goals of the PEACEPLUS Programme and its Healthy and Inclusive Communities theme. We know that cross-border collaboration works. It delivers economies of scale, reduces duplication, and ensures that resources are used efficiently. It also brings equality of access to essential services. I look forward to seeing the positive impact the Healthier Futures Project will have in the months and years ahead.”

CAWT’s Deputy Director General, Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency commented: “We welcome this significant additional PEACEPLUS investment for the border area. The CAWT Healthier Futures Project will target more disadvantaged socio-economic groups, where there is a greater prevalence of overweight and obesity, in order to help reduce health inequalities.”

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He added: “By focusing on early support through specialist and community-based weight management programmes, this project can help to improve outcomes for children and families.”