Cross-community groups promoting reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Republic's border counties have received a £12.4 million boost.
Organisations to benefit from the IFI funding include an interdenominational faith project that works with children living on unstable interfaces in north Belfast and a centre for peace in Co Wicklow.
The IFI, which draws donations from across Eur
ope, America and Australia was set up by the British and Irish Governments more than 20 years ago to foster better relations.
The e15.5 million announced is part of the fund’s e48 million (£33 million) budget for 2008.
Denis Rooney, Chairman, the International Fund for Ireland, said the funding would go some way towards building on the progress already made by the IFI in achieving real levels of cross community integration and reconciliation.
He said: “On behalf of the International Fund for Ireland, may I say how excited we are at some of the initiatives to be implemented over the coming months and years. We look forward to witnessing the fruits of these worthy endeavours and thank our donor countries for their valued contributions.”
A total of £2.8 million (e3.5 million) will go to the Fund’s ‘Leaving a Legacy’ programme. Notable beneficiaries will include The 174 Trust, an interdenominational and non-sectarian Christian Community Development organisation which will receive £1.4 million (e1.7 million) towards the refurbishment and transformation of the former Duncairn Presbyterian Church on Belfast’s Antrim Road into a Community Resource, Arts and Culture Centre.
Additional funding is also being provided to the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Wicklow towards its extensive rebuilding and modernisation programme.
The fund has also announced £2.5 million (e3.8 million) of support for a number of projects under its Building Bridges Programme. This includes £250,000 (e308,000) for Inishowen Women’s Information Network towards the cost of mentoring support for women to work within their own communities to create hubs of reconciliation throughout community projects in the West and North West of Ireland and Mid-Ulster.
Both Forth Spring Inter-Community Group and North Belfast Interface Network will receive £225,935 (e278,932) and £248,000 (e306,172) respectively towards the cost of extensive cross-interface initiatives in their respective areas.
Through its Community Based Economic and Social Regeneration Programme, the fund has approved £6.5 million (e8 million) focusing on community-based economic and social development and improving community leadership.
Youth Action Northern Ireland will receive a total of £980,605 (e794,290) towards a two-year project building on the success of the current programme.
Carlingford Community Development Ltd will receive £182,250 (e225,000) to support the Carlingford Lough Youth Peace Project.
The fund has also approved its support for the Cross Border Maximising Community Space and Good Relations Project, a major three-year £3.4 million (e4.2million) project designed to improve community relations.
