€200K Secured for Cross-Border Peacebuilding Project

Hawk’s Well Theatre in partnership with Millennium Forum Theatre in Derry and the John and Pat Hume Foundation for Peaceful Change are proud to have been awarded €202K in funding toward an exciting new cross border peacebuilding initiative called Project Lighthouse. The team at Hawk’s Well are grateful to our partners for starting this peacebuilding journey with us. Tim Attwood (Secretary, HUME Foundation) David McLaughlin (CEO, Millennium Forum) and Cara McCartney (Development and Creative Engagement Manager Millennium Forum)

The event was addressed by Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Declan Bree, Minister for Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly of the Northern Ireland Executive, Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the SEUPB, Cllr Donal Gilroy, Chair of the Local Community Development Committee and PEACEPLUS Partnership, and guest speaker Kirstie McLeod, Artist and Creator of the International Red Dress Project.

Project Lighthouse sets out to explore a vital question: “What is the process of peace for the generation born after the Good Friday Agreement?” Bringing together 30 young cultural champions from across the island of Ireland, this initiative aims to navigate difference and build empathy, using creativity as their guiding compass.

This initiative represents a strong partnership committed to fostering peace and understanding. Together, they seek to learn from the past and celebrate a shared future by empowering young people aged 18 to 27 to become beacons of empathy - not only by discussing peace but by living, creating, and sharing it on stage and screen.

Through an exchange of stories, art, and perspectives, Project Lighthouse will develop a new roadmap for understanding - offering hope and connection for a divided island and a divided world.

The launch will take place on the International Day of Peace 2025.

More detail can be found here: https://www.hawkswell.com/whats-on/behind-the-scenes/decide