Northern Ireland projects get IFI funding boost

The International Fund for Ireland – established in 1986 by the UK and Irish governments, and funded by overseas donors including the EU and US government – has pledged a total of £980,000 across 13 schemes.

Eight of these are in Northern Ireland, and five are in the Republic’s border counties.

In Co Down, £80,550 goes to Schomberg Society Kilkeel Ltd for a 12-month cross-community project aimed at “individuals who feel disconnected with the wider community”.

Belfast’s Black Mountain Shared Space gets £80,000 to deliver “a 12-month community transformation project within the Springmartin, Highfield and Moyard areas of west Belfast”.

The same sum goes to the Shankill Women’s Centre for another year-long project, aiming to help more than 70 women gain qualifications to boost their employment prospects, and more.

In Co Tyrone, £97,000 goes to a group called Ealu for a one-year project in east Tyrone and north Armagh, “to deal with tensions and legacy issues linked to the conflict and build capacity to engage in peace building and community development”, as well as job-related and health issues.

Also in Tyrone, £92,618 goes to to Galbally Youth and Community Association for a one-year cross-community project.

In Co Armagh, £34,296 goes to Drumgor Detached Youth Work Project to extend a scheme to deter anti-social behaviour in Craigavon for seven months.

Co Londonderry sees £93,806 given to Roe Valley Resident’s Association for a 12-month cross-community youth project, while £87,171 goes to to Queens Park Women’s Group in Co Antrim for a 12-month project in the Glengormley and Mossley area.