A major initiative that inspires young people to re-engage with education and training and boost their employment prospects is all set for its final roll-out. The cross-community Youth Works Programme which contains strong elements of peace and reconciliation work is targeted at 16-17 year olds not in education, training or employment within communities suffering economic disadvantage. The £2 million initiative is funded by the International Fund for Ireland through its Sharing in Education Programme and managed by the Youth Council NI on behalf of the Department of Education. Youth Works  [ ... ]

On Monday (13th May), local children from across Leitrim and Fermanagh welcomed Ireland Football Team Manager Giovanni Trapattoni to a cross-border sports day at Leitrim Gaels Community Pitch as part of the Goal for Peace project.   Mr Trapattoni got to experience firsthand the valuable work being done by the project, which integrates children from schools and football clubs from both Protestant and Catholic traditions through the medium of sport, primarily soccer. During his visit, he met with students and teachers from all participating schools as well as the programme organisers and coac [ ... ]

The Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, Dr Adrian Johnston, has welcomed the First Minister and deputy First Minister’s outline proposals on building a shared future in Northern Ireland.   Ahead of the anticipated publication of the full good relations strategy entitled ‘Together: Building a United Community’, Dr Johnston said:   “As a direction of travel, the proposals from the First Minister and deputy First Minister are good news and have potential to be an important step forward.   “Plans for education, housing and interface cohesion are particularly encourag [ ... ]

 Community groups involved in the Community Leadership Programme (CLP) recently took part in a series of special round table workshop in Antrim, Cavan and Omagh which looked at diversity, inclusion and community relations.   The three events were organised by NICVA, in conjunction with the International Fund for Ireland as part of the innovative training and learning programme which strengthens leadership capacities within voluntary and community groups in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.   By increasing leadership skills, the CLP seeks to support groups in the de [ ... ]

One of the world’s oldest YMCA groups today unveiled a new state-of-the-art £1.2million facility in Carrickfergus.   Established in 1873, Carrickfergus YMCA will mark its 140th birthday in a new purpose-built youth and community base which will increase its efforts to support youth development, employment and training and promote mutual understanding between all sections of the community.   The International Fund for Ireland provided £555,000 funding towards the three-storey development in the Irish Quarter of the town which includes activity rooms, a training kitchen, arts and craft [ ... ]

Doors Officially Open at New £800,000 Community and Cross-Community Facility in Maghera Community, church and business leaders came together today to officially open a new £800,000 hub for peace building and community work in Maghera. The newly renovated and expanded 500 square metres Maghera Parish Caring Association Centre in Church Street enables the organisation to enhance its support for community and cross-community activity in the town and the wider region. Maghera Parish Caring Association provides a wide range of community services to all the citizens in the area and facilitates  [ ... ]

‘Upstanding: Stories of Courage from Northern Ireland’ New Reconciliation Schools DVD Resource Launched at QFT    An innovative reconciliation DVD for schools relating to previously uncovered ground of the peace building effort in Ireland was launched today at Belfast’s Queen’s Film Theatre.   Primarily designed to support educators and young people to link the lessons of the past to the choices individuals make today, ‘Upstanding: Stories of Courage from Northern Ireland’ is a 45 minute DVD exploring 10 diverse case studies from all over Northern Ireland showing how [ ... ]

A One-Stop Cross-Community Resource, Training and Heritage Centre   On Sunday (28th April), local residents and community representatives came together to celebrate the official launch of the Carrickmacross Workhouse in Co. Monaghan following the completion of the third phase of an extensive renovation programme. Originally built in 1841, the Workhouse now acts as a one-stop, cross-community resource for local groups by providing office and training facilities to organisations focused on social, economic and reconciliation development in the border counties, thereby contributing toward peac [ ... ]

Community relations and youth work in general was given a £1.7 million boost today [Thursday 25th April 2013] in Lurgan with the opening of the town’s new state-of-the-art YMCA building.   Education Minister John O’Dowd joined International Fund for Ireland Chairman Dr Adrian Johnston to officially open the new facility which is located on Carnegie Street in the town centre.  As well as representatives from a number of organisations in the Lurgan area being present, Tim Shetzner had travelled from Lurgan YMCA’a partner organisation Central Stark County YMCA in Ohio to be at the  [ ... ]

Belfast Metropolitan College’s e3 building on the Springvale Campus has been presented with a Sustainable Town Planning award in recognition of its sustainability and green credentials winning the Urban Development and the Built Environment category and reaching the finals of the Sustainable Communities and Regeneration category at an awards ceremony held in the Long Gallery at Stormont.   The awards, which are a joint initiative with RSPB NI and The Royal Town Planning Institute, seek to reward and celebrate the efforts of individuals and organisations to create a better, more sustainabl [ ... ]

In response to today’s (22 April 2013) publication of The Report of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Advancing Shared Education, Dr Adrian Johnston, speaking on behalf of the International Fund for Ireland and The Atlantic Philanthropies, said:   “The publication and findings of this report should be welcomed by all schools, pupils and communities. It is a major contribution to important debates on sustaining schools, improving academic performance and building a shared future. “The focus of shared education is delivering core curriculum activities where teachers and pupils work  [ ... ]

More than 80 parents of pre-school children today celebrated the completion of a 14-week project at a graduation event in Rosspark Hotel in Ballymena today.   The Building New Communities through Positive Parenting and Reconciliation (BNCPPR) Project pairs schools on a cross-community basis to deliver a highly-structured parenting and reconciliation programme.   Participants on the programme have the option to advance to an accredited Open College Network (OCN) Level 2 training qualification while teachers and classroom assistants have access to special training that compliments the pare [ ... ]

The story of a major cross-border and cross-community project was dramatised by young people from community groups in Donegal, Carnlough and Ballymoney today (12th April).   The performance was part of a special event celebrating Northern Arc, a 30-month project that encourages young people to explore cultural identity, challenge sectarian attitudes and build cross-border relationships.   The International Fund for Ireland provided more than half of the £433,140 funding for the project which was delivered by Newtowncunningham Community Development Initiative, Glebeside Community Associa [ ... ]

The conclusion of a three-year cross-community, cross-border project to bring lasting positive change was marked with a special celebration event held in Derry/Londonderry.   Funded by the International Fund for Ireland the ‘Understanding Our Space, Celebrating Diversity’ Project was undertaken by women from Ballysally, a predominantly Unionist estate in Coleraine, Creavagh, a mainly Nationalist estate in Derry/Londonderry, Fab Femme, women’s group in Ballymoney and St Johnston Family & Resource Centre, St Johnston & Carrigans villages in Co Donegal.   The project is one of [ ... ]

Junior Ministers Jennifer McCann MLA and Jonathan Bell MLA joined International Fund for Ireland Board Member Billy Gamble at a special celebration Gala event in Belfast marking the conclusion of a major cross-community project. At least 800 young people aged 12 to 22 years old from across east, west and north Belfast and Kilcooley in Bangor benefitted from the five year Crossing the Bridges Project.  Hundreds of participants gathered to share their experiences and celebrate their successes. The Crossing the Bridges Project promoted mutual understanding and facilitated contact between g [ ... ]

-          £435,616/€505,420 confirmed for four initiatives in new Peace Impact Programme   The International Fund for Ireland has confirmed financial assistance of £1.4m/€1.63m that will support peace building, integration and reconciliation projects in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.   The announcement was made following the International Fund for Ireland's recent Board meeting which took place in the Ballymascanlon House Hotel, Dundalk.   The financial commitment includes £435,616/€505,420 within the Fund’s  [ ... ]

A new £471,000 project aimed at building community confidence to tackle one of the most visible signs of division in North Belfast – Peace Walls –  was launched at Groundwork NI today (Friday 22nd March 2013). Operated by the Duncairn Community Partnership and funded by the International Fund for Ireland’s Peace Walls Programme, the project will provide opportunities for direct dialogue between residents on both sides of the interfaces within the target area. Key partners in this new initiative are the Tigers Bay and Mountcollyer Concerned Residents Group, the Greater Newington R [ ... ]

Films made by young people in Cinemagic’s ‘Reel Frontiers’ project, supported by the International Fund for Ireland were screened to the 4th annual Los Angeles Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People, which ran during this year’s Oscar week.     The film ‘Aftermath’ was produced by students from Unionist and Nationalist backgrounds, with the aim for the participants to work together on a common goal, learn about film making and production, share experiences and make new friends.   At the event Young people from Northern Ireland, the Republic [ ... ]

A special conference held in Belfast today (8th March) heard that a lasting and practical legacy must be secured for a £1 million shared education initiative.   The ‘Sustaining Shared Education: Challenges and Opportunities’ conference was hosted by the Change Makers Programme, which enabled 6,113  students and 268  teachers from 10 post-primary schools in Lisburn and Greater Belfast to successfully complete both accredited and non-accredited Community Relations and cultural diversity skills training.   Launched in December 2010 the three-year Change Makers Programme was d [ ... ]

On behalf of the Board of the International Fund for Ireland, the Chairman, Dr Adrian Johnston, has expressed great sadness at the passing of Sir George Quigley.
Paying tribute to Sir George, Dr Johnston said: “Sir George Quigley was an inspirational figure who made an exceptional contribution to life, community and business. A champion of peace, in public service he was closely involved in the establishment of the Fund during a very important and contentious time.   “He provided valuable insight, clear thinking and urged bold steps to persuade the international community to assist in [ ... ]