The PEACE-funded Shankill Shared Women’s Centre in Belfast has been officially recognised as one of the top projects in Europe for promoting inclusion and delivering life-changing impacts within the local community it serves.
“To be recognised and win out of 266 applicants from across Europe is just incredible,” said a project representative in a celebratory message to supporters.

The centre is backed by the EU PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and it won the ‘A Europe Closer to Citizens’ category at this year’s REGIOSTARS awards.

The award was presented at a ceremony in Brussels in October that brought together the best examples of EU-funded projects delivering transformational change, as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities.

The £7.8m shared-space facility, which is situated close to the peace wall at Lanark Way in Belfast, delivers a broad range of vital services and support for women and their families from all community backgrounds. It aims to help create a more cohesive society through an increased provision of shared spaces and services.

The centre opened last year, providing a new, fit-for-purpose home to the Shankill Women’s Centre, who share the building and deliver services with partners.

Match-funding for the centre was provided by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland, and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in the Republic of Ireland. Funding was also provided by project lead partner, Belfast City Council.

Shankill Women’s Centre from the air.

Betty Carlisle, manager of the centre, said: “Winning the REGIOSTARS Award is an incredible honour and a deeply emotional moment for everyone connected to the Shankill Shared Women’s Centre. This recognition at a European level affirms the transformative impact our work is having in the community and highlights the power of inclusion, collaboration and shared purpose.

“It’s a tribute to the tireless efforts of our staff, volunteers and partners, as well as the many women who have walked through our doors seeking support, connection and opportunity. From the early campaigners who dreamed of a shared space, to those delivering and participating in programmes every day, this award belongs to you.

“We are proud to stand as a beacon of hope and progress, showing what can be achieved when communities come together to build a better, more inclusive future.”

“I am thrilled. The centre was rightly named a shining example of promoting inclusion and delivering life changing impact within the local community. This is a monumental achievement and one that belongs to everyone who believed in and helped deliver this vision,” she said.

Betty Carlisle, manager of Shankill Shared Women’s Centre, in Belfast, accepting the REGIOSTARS award.

She congratulated volunteers, staff, Belfast City Council and all funding partners and the SEUPB team.

“This recognition underscores the power of collaboration, courage and community, and through PEACEPLUS, we will continue to build, grow and strengthen spaces that bring people together,” she said.

 

The REGIOSTARS Awards is an annual competition organised by the European Commission to recognise outstanding EU-funded projects that demonstrate excellence and innovative approaches in regional development.

The awards highlight the impact and inclusivity of regional development initiatives.

Here are the 2025 winners by category:

A Europe Closer to the Citizens – Shankill Women’s Centre (Ireland, UK).

A Competitive and Smart Europe – Satellite radar-based fertilisation maps, Fertisat (Poland).

A Green Europe – AGEO – Atlantic Geohazard Risk Management, Instituto Superior Técnico (Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, UK).

A Connected Europe – MONOCAB OWL – New mobility on old tracks, MONOCAB OWL (Germany).

A Social and Inclusive Europe – Early support for families at risk, Perinatal.cz (Czechia).