THE International Fund for Ireland as announced funding for 11 peacebuilding and community projects across Northern Ireland and in the Republic.
Established by the British and Irish governments in the 1980s, the IFI is an independent organisation backed by the United States, EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – with a goal of promoting economic and social advancement as well as dialogue between unionists and nationalists.
The latest round of funding worth £1,172,890 in Northern Ireland and €801,925 in the Republic will be used to further peacebuilding and community relations efforts.
Read more
- Vulnerable communities in NI set to benefit from £4.3 million of IFI funding
- Over £3m funding announced for Troubles-impacted communities
Chair of the IFI, Paddy Harte, said the funding was particularly important where young people continue to be at the mercy of paramilitaries.
“We are continuing to see tensions between and within communities in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties, specifically relating to culture, identity, and legacy, further exasperated with the lack of the Northern Ireland Executive,” he said.
“Our young people continue to be at risk from paramilitary recruitment and criminal influence and this funding will ensure that support is targeted at those who really need it.
“This grassroots support is critical to developing sustainable peace and reconciliation, particularly in some of our most divided communities and the IFI is committed to supporting these projects.”
The funding is divided across IFI’s Peace Impact Programme which delivers sensitive interventions in communities that have not previously engaged in peacebuilding activities, the Personal Youth Development Programme which builds confidence in young people and the Communities in Partnership Programme which help build partnerships in cross-border areas.
The 11 projects will help communities in Armagh, Tyrone, Leitrim, Louth, Antrim, Fermanagh, Cavan, Derry, Donegal and Monaghan.
This includes £213,335 for the Twaddell Woodvale Residents Association for a 24 month programme of reconciliation activities, following on from work started after protests at Twaddell Avenue.
The Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership in Derry also received £206,632 for a similar peacebuilding project over two years.
In Co Antrim, £179,194 has been granted for R City Youth to work with young people living in interface areas in Shankill and Ardoyne, planning to work with 20 hard-to-reach and disengaged young people aged 16-21 on a cross-community basis.
The focus will be on those who have experienced negative upbringings and limited development opportunities and are not in employment, education and training.
