Crossing the Threshold
Our Journey
The IFI was established in 1986 by the British and Irish Governments as part of an international treaty. It was created to promote peace and reconciliation at a time when communities across the island were living with the daily reality of conflict.
Over four decades, the IFI has evolved and adapted its approach — from early economic regeneration efforts through to focused programmes tackling the legacy of division, empowering young people, and building bridges between communities.
Now, forty years into our journey, we're crossing the threshold into the next phase of peacebuilding.
Our Impact
Politics In Action
Dozens of young people from both sides of the border gathered in Omagh to showcase the impact that young people can have in their communities.
Politics in Action have co-ordinated a cross-community, cross-border initiative to empower young people to use their voice and initiate change in their communities.
SERI / SENI
Building new connections between established Social Enterprises, around the shared social impact challenges faced, was the focus of an innovative partnership programme led by Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) and Social Enterprise Northern Ireland (SENI) in the DISCOVERY Programme.
Black Mountain Shared Space
BMSSP's work focuses on mixed interface estates, primarily Upper Springfield, Highfield, and Upper Springmartin – areas that have been greatly impacted by the loss of life or personal injury due to The Troubles-related incidents, intercommunal violence, and paramilitary activities.
The Foundation
The International Fund for Ireland is established by the British and Irish Governments with founding support from the United States. Six pioneering programmes are launched spanning business enterprise, tourism, urban development, agriculture, science and technology, and the Wider Horizons Programme. The Fund begins its mission of promoting economic and social advance, creating employment opportunities and stimulating local enterprise in disadvantaged areas on both sides of the border.
Building on the Peace Process
Following the historic ceasefires and the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, the Fund identifies a critical shift is needed — from economic development to community capacity building and reconciliation. The European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand join as donors. Sixteen programmes are developed across community capacity building, regeneration, and economic development, helping stabilise the broader context of newly formed political institutions.
Deepening Community Impact
The Fund publishes Sharing this Space and launches its flagship programmes — the Peace Barriers Programme to help interface communities tackle the legacy of peace walls, and the Peace Impact Programme to reach communities not yet engaged in peacebuilding. The Personal Youth Development Programme is launched to empower at-risk young people with life skills, confidence, and resilience.
A Lasting Legacy
The Communities in Partnership Programme embeds cross-border cooperation and local leadership. The Fund responds to new challenges including Brexit, social division, and the ongoing need for dialogue. The IFI documents and shares its accumulated knowledge through Sharing the Learning, ensuring its insights into peacebuilding practice benefit communities and practitioners worldwide.
Crossing the Threshold
At the heart of our new strategy is an invitation for all of us to take the next imaginative leap in making peace with ourselves and our neighbours, joyful, celebrated and normal.
Our new strategy will allow the IFI to do what it does best.
We will keep our independence and have the ability to adapt to changing political, social, and economic circumstances, providing flexible and responsive support to communities.
Join us as we cross the threshold into the next phase of our peacebuilding journey.
Shona McCarthy – IFI Chair
For further information about our funding programmes, or for information on how to apply for funding, please contact the person(s) or organisation(s) identifed at the end of the relevant programme summary in the areas of activity section.
Belfast Office
International Fund for Ireland
Seatem House
28-32 Alfred St.
Belfast
BT2 8EN
Email:
+44 (0)28 9031 2884
Dublin Office
International Fund for Ireland
PO Box 2000
Dublin 2
+353 1 408 2251
IUKA.InternationalFundIre@dfa.