Donegal to avail of €8.6 million PEACEPLUS project launched to tackle obesity

A major €8.6 million PEACEPLUS-funded project aimed at developing an integrated approach to tackling obesity in Donegal and Ulster, as well as other counties like Sligo, Leitrim, and Louth, has been launched.

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

Around 9,000 people will be supported 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.

A unique opportunity will be provided for both jurisdictions to enhance and complement existing overweight and obesity management and prevention programmes by implementing innovative approaches and sharing learning and best practices.

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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.”

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

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, said: “I am delighted to support the launch of the Healthier Futures Project (HFP), under the auspices of the PEACEPLUS programme, which will establish a new community-based obesity prevention and management service to address overweight and obesity in the border counties and Northern Ireland.

“I wish the project all the best and look forward to being kept informed about the benefits it will bring to children and adults over the coming years.”

Stormont’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt stated: “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.”