The International Fund for Ireland today confirmed €4.6m/£3.8m of financial assistance that will be shared between 32 community projects in Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties. The funding, approved at the organisation’s recent Board Meeting in County Cavan, will see €2.2m/£1.9m shared among 15 projects that support vulnerable young people to reengage in training and learning activities and reduce the risk of being drawn into violence, crime and addiction. More than €1.6m/£1.3m will be shared among 12 Peace Impact projects that work to address difficult issues linked to the legacy of conflict and some will engage with young people who are at risk of becoming involved in sectarian or anti-social activity. A further €770,000/£641,000 has been allocated to five initiatives that are developing new dialogue on the future of Peace Walls.

Dr Adrian Johnston, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, said:
“We are pleased to award financial assistance to the 32 projects and commend them for their bravery and leadership in challenging environments. Sustained political deadlock, reduced public spending and Brexit have placed new pressures on marginalised communities. This allocation of funding is timely and supports urgent action at a community level.

“The risks that projects are taking are paying dividends at a difficult time for communities and the Peace Process. They have been active in creating new opportunities for people to engage in peacebuilding activities, transform lives and disrupt the cycle of violence.”

He added:
“Our work over the decades has been conducted in parallel with a political process. While the crisis facing the political institutions in Northern Ireland cannot be underestimated, it remains our hope that the political parties will resolve once again to form a partnership government.”

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank the international donors to the Fund - the European Union and the Governments of the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand - for their support.

The latest funding package includes awards to five new projects including:

• €99,858/£82,882 to Inishowen Development Partnership for an 18-month initiative that will engage 15 young people aged 16-25 years, in a structured programme of good relations, personal development and skills development activities across the Inishowen peninsula.
• €290,157/£241,798 to Intercomm for a two-year community engagement project in Carrickfergus and Greenisland. The project aims to engage more than 300 people in a range of activities designed to improve training and employability options, community cohesion and community capacity.
•  €289,293/£241,078 to St. Peter’s Immaculata Youth Centre to deliver a two-year youth project that includes structured learning and support for twenty participants, aged 16-25 years. It is designed to help improve social and life skills through a range of non-formal methodologies, including accredited training, residential experiences, work experience, mentoring and skills development.

Further information about all the beneficiaries from the International Fund for Ireland’s latest funding package click here