The International Fund for Ireland has today announced a further £12.4 million (€15.5 million) of funding to support a range of new and existing community integration and reconciliation-based projects throughout Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties. Commenting on the International Fund’s decision to approve this round of funding, Denis Rooney, Chairman, the International Fund for Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be in the position today to announce such a significant and substantial level of funding.  This level of funding, amounting to £12.4 million (€15.5million) will go some way towards building on the progress we are making in leading the way and achieving real levels of cross community integration and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties.  “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 (€3.5 million) will go to the Fund’s ‘Leaving a Legacy’ programme. Notable beneficiaries will include The 174 Trust, an inter-denominational and non-sectarian Christian Community Development organisation which will receive £1.4 million (€1.7 million) towards the refurbishment and transformation of the former Duncairn Presbyterian Church on the Antrim Road into a Community Resource, Arts & Culture Centre. The new centre aims to promote reconciliation by creating a venue where the people of North Belfast and beyond can come together and take part in joint activities that celebrate their diversity and shared heritage. 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 (€3.8 million) of support for a number of projects under its Building Bridges Programme. This includes £250,000 (€308,000) 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 (€278,932) and £248,000 (€306,172) respectively towards the cost of extensive cross-interface initiatives in their respective areas.  The work will include providing training and support to other interface communities and to target greater involvement of men from local communities as facilitators and advocates for change. Through its Community Based Economic & Social Regeneration Programme, the Fund has approved £6.5 million (€8 million) focusing on community-based economic and social development, improving community leadership and facilitating change at a community level.  Youth Action Northern Ireland will receive a total of £980,605 (€1.2m) towards a two year project building on the success of the current Youth and Community Leadership Programme (CLP).  The new Programme, to be based in 3 areas (Derry/Donegal, Greater Belfast and Fermanagh/ Cavan/Monaghan) aims to promote active citizenship, learning and community leadership in marginalised young people aged 18-25.  Accredited training and employment experience will be delivered as part of the programme. Carlingford Community Development Ltd will receive £182,250 (€225,000) to support activities related to the Carlingford Lough Youth Peace Project (CLYPP).  CLYPP is a cross-border, cross-community, reconciliation and development project, designed to foster links between young people of different religious persuasions from both sides of Carlingford Lough.  A range of modules /activities is implemented covering leadership and teamwork, environmental education and an appreciation of cultural diversity.The Fund has approved its support for the Cross Border Maximising Community Space and Good Relations Project, a major three year £3.4 million (€4.2million) project designed to improve community relations by maximising community use of local halls on a cross community basis.  The project will provide a range of training and grants of up to £50,000 (€61,700) to groups across Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties. The programme will be managed by the Rural Development Council.

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