What Special EU Programmes Body does

SEUPB is a statutory North-South Implementation Body established in 1998 under the Good Friday Agreement, holding the exclusive remit to manage EU-funded cross-border cooperation programmes across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. Its core offering is the PEACEPLUS Programme (launched 2021, currently active), which succeeds PEACE I-IV and INTERREG IIIA-VA and is jointly funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive. SEUPB distributes grants across six principal segments: community and voluntary groups, local authorities, SMEs, educational institutions, health and social care providers, and environmental organisations, with funded projects spanning shared education, reconciliation, research and innovation, environmental conservation, sustainable transport, and cross-border health interventions. Notable funded investments include €253.3m into 81 reconciliation projects, €78.7m into sustainable transport (including 73 EV charging points under the FASTER project), €85.5m into environmental projects covering 5,048 hectares, and €33.14m into shared education benefiting 144,000 children.

SEUPB's operational footprint comprises three offices in Belfast (headquarters), Monaghan, and Omagh, and its primary technology assets are the JEMS (Joint Evaluation and Monitoring System) portal and the PEACEPLUS Portal, which serve as self-serve application and project management infrastructure. The organisation does not generate commercial revenue; instead, it operates as an administrative and oversight body, with funding decisions made by Programme Monitoring Committees and Steering Committees comprising government and social/economic partner representatives. Gina McIntyre serves as CEO and Chair of the Steering Committee. SEUPB's distribution model combines self-serve digital channels with formal Steering Committee approvals, and the recently launched Change Maker Funding Programme (€40m total, grants up to €100,000) extends a streamlined application path to smaller community applicants through 30 June 2026.

Name

Special EU Programmes Body

Legal name

Special EU Programmes Body

Website

https://seupb.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SEUPB is a statutory body managing EU-funded cross-border programmes (PEACEPLUS, INTERREG) across Northern Ireland and Ireland's border counties, distributing grants to community groups, NGOs, universities, and local authorities for peacebuilding, environmental, health, and research projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SEUPB manages and administers EU and government co-funded cross-border programmes (currently PEACEPLUS, previously PEACE IV and INTERREG VA) that provide grants to eligible organisations for peacebuilding, reconciliation, economic development, environmental protection, health, education and sustainable transport projects in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. It operates the JEMS online portal for application submission and monitoring, and runs the Change Maker Funding Programme offering grants of up to €100,000 to community groups.

Product overview

The Special EU Programmes Body operates as a funding management body rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings are EU-funded programmes: the current PEACEPLUS programme (building on previous PEACE and INTERREG iterations), which includes the Change Maker Funding Programme as a sub-initiative. The organisation also manages various evaluation frameworks, monitoring committees, and the JEMS system for funding application management. PEACE IV and INTERREG VA are past programmes now concluded, with their own thematic investment areas including Shared Education, Youth Programmes, Environment, Health & Social Care, and Sustainable Transport.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PEACEPLUS Programme A cross-border funding programme supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration, designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. Calls are currently open.
• PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme A streamlined funding sub-programme under PEACEPLUS offering grants of up to €100,000 to community and voluntary groups for people-to-people projects that strengthen cross-community and cross-border relationships. A total of €40 million is being invested directly into communities. Applications are open until 30 June 2026.
• JEMS (Joint Evaluation and Monitoring System) Online system for managing funding applications and project monitoring under the PEACEPLUS Programme, providing applicants with a digital self-service route to submit and track funding applications.
• PEACE Platform Online peace education learning platform providing peace education resources and programmes to users across Northern Ireland, the border counties of Ireland and beyond.

Quantifiable outcome

• €33.14m invested in Shared Education benefiting 482 schools, 1,500 teachers, and 144,000 children
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• RSPB ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in CABB biodiversity conservation project, working with RSPB NI, BirdWatch Ireland, Northern Ireland Water, Butterfly Conservation and Moors for the Future Partnership
• BirdWatch IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in CABB biodiversity conservation project across Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland
• Northern Ireland WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in CABB conservation project focusing on blanket bog restoration and water quality
• Ulster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in NWCAM advanced manufacturing research project, one of four academic partners alongside University of Glasgow and institutes in Ireland
• University of GlasgowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in NWCAM project providing research capabilities in life and health sciences sector
• Northern Ireland Housing ExecutivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in ONSIDE project supporting social inclusion and digital engagement for disabled people
• Supporting Communities and the Independent Living Movement in IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in ONSIDE cross-border initiative for disabled people's social inclusion
• Marine InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in SeaMonitor marine research project studying seas around Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Agri-Food and Biosciences InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in SeaMonitor marine monitoring and management project
• University College CorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in SeaMonitor developing marine spatial models and management plans
• Royal National Institute of Blind People ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in Need to Talk counselling service for people with sight loss
• Fighting Blindness IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in Need to Talk cross-border sight loss support programme
• Queen's University BelfastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in BREATH project researching chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• University of the West of ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in BREATH project addressing respiratory disease across border regions
• Sustainable Energy Authority of IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in FASTER electric vehicle charging project installing 73 rapid chargers
• Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in FASTER sustainable transport initiative across Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland
• Ulster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in FASTER electric vehicle infrastructure project
• SJC ConsultancysupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned to conduct three-year evaluation of Shared Education projects under PEACE IV, in partnership with National Children's Bureau
• Centre for Identity and Intergroup Relations, Queen's University BelfastsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned to conduct longitudinal impact evaluation of Children and Young People (14-24) Specific Objective 2.1
• Cogent Management Consulting LLPsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned to undertake impact evaluation of Priority Axis 1 Research and Innovation under INTERREG VA
• Cogent Management Consulting LLPsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned to conduct impact evaluation of Priority Axis 2 Environment under INTERREG VA
• t33 sound policysupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned to undertake longitudinal impact evaluation of Priority Axis 4 Health and Social Care under INTERREG VA
• Transport Research PartnerssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned to conduct impact evaluation of Priority Axis 3 Sustainable Transport under INTERREG VA
• RSM ConsultingsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned to conduct impact evaluation of Local Authority Action Plans, Building Positive Relations, Shared Spaces and Services under PEACE IV

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Fund for Ireland: Independent international organisation set up under the Anglo-Irish Agreement to fund peace and reconciliation projects across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Directly comparable to SEUPB in mission (peace/reconciliation funding), cross-border operating model, and tri-jurisdictional stakeholder base.
• The Shared Island Unit (Department of the Taoiseach): Irish Government unit administering a multi-year Shared Island Fund for cross-border cooperation on infrastructure, education, health, and climate. Closely comparable to SEUPB in mandate (cross-border funding administration between Ireland and Northern Ireland) and beneficiary profile, though national rather than EU-funded.
• Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT): Cross-border health and social care partnership between the HSE and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, funded largely through INTERREG/PEACEPLUS via SEUPB. Comparable as a beneficiary and delivery vehicle operating on the same cross-border funding rails, focused specifically on health and social care.

Broad incumbents

• Waterways Ireland: One of the six North-South Implementation Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement, jointly accountable to the Irish Government and Northern Ireland Executive. Comparable governance structure, statutory basis, and cross-jurisdictional remit, though operating in inland waterways rather than funding administration.
• Tourism Ireland: Another North-South Implementation Body under the Good Friday Agreement, jointly accountable to both administrations. Comparable institutional design and cross-border mandate, although focused on tourism marketing rather than EU funding administration.
• Special EU Programmes Body (INTERREG/PEACE Secretariat functions generally): Other INTERREG and transnational programme secretariats across the EU operate structurally similar models — managing authority roles for EU Cohesion Policy funds. SEUPB is itself a managing authority for INTERREG VA/PEACEPLUS, and the wider family of INTERREG secretariats across Europe are its institutional peers in the EU funding ecosystem.
• The National Lottery Community Fund (Northern Ireland / UK-wide): Major UK grantmaking body distributing public-good funding to community and voluntary organisations. Comparable to SEUPB's Change Maker Funding Programme in target beneficiaries (community/voluntary groups) and grantmaking mechanics, though funded by lottery proceeds rather than EU/intergovernmental sources.
• The Ireland Funds: Global philanthropic network funding programmes across Ireland and Northern Ireland in peace, education, and community development. Comparable to SEUPB's thematic portfolio and cross-border beneficiary base, though privately funded rather than statutorily constituted.

Regional players

• Scottish Government (INTERREG VA Western Scotland delivery partners): Western Scotland is one of the three INTERREG VA jurisdictions SEUPB manages funding for. Comparable as a partner stakeholder and contributor of match funding, though SEUPB remains the managing authority rather than a recipient.

Emerging players

• UK Community Foundations: UK-wide network of place-based community foundations distributing grant funding for social and community benefit. Conceptually comparable to SEUPB's community-facing grantmaking (e.g., Change Maker Funding Programme) in fund administration, though operating at sub-national rather than cross-border scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SEUPB
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SEUPB
• Facebookfacebook.com/SpecialEUProgrammesBody
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/special-eu-programmes-body-seupb-
• Instagrambsky.app/profile/seupb.bsky.social

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Special EU Programmes Body