Two city projects, Have Your Tomorrows (HURT) will receive £84,043 and Creggan Enterprises Ltd will have £38,672 support through the IFI’s Personal Youth Development Programme. A total of £492,654 has been pledged to support six groups across Northern Ireland and continue outreach work with marginalised communities. Pictured: Participants of the HURT project with IFI Board Member, Allen McAdam and Project Youth Coordinator, Olivia Smith.
Two projects in Derry will be supported through the IFI’s Personal Youth Development Programme.
Creggan Enterprises Ltd will receive £38,672 and Have Your Tomorrows (HURT), £84,043.
The funding will help sustain engagement efforts across local communities, develop capacity and ensure support for all throughout the current health crisis and beyond.
The package was announced at a recent Board meeting and will be distributed across the Fund’s three core programmes, which all work with marginalised communities who have not previously or have only partially participated in peace and reconciliation activity.
The Peace Impact Programme operates in areas with high levels of socio economic and social deprivation with a particular emphasis on engaging with disaffected youths who are more vulnerable to paramilitary recruitment.
The unique Personal Youth Development Programme targets the most at risk 16-25 year olds who come from a range of complex backgrounds.
The Peace Walls Programme works on a range of confidence and relationship building interventions within and between interface communities to help residents reach a position where they feel it is safe and appropriate to proceed with Peace Wall removal.
IFI Chairperson, Paddy Harte commented on the funding: “The IFI’s ongoing commitment to peace and reconciliation work comes at a time when many communities are feeling more vulnerable than ever, due to the current Coronavirus pandemic.
“The journey towards a peaceful society takes many forms and this funding is essential to help boost community spirit and leadership at an extremely challenging time.
Paddy Harte, chairman of the International Fund for Ireland
Richie McRory from Creggan Enterprises said: “We’re at the centre of the community in Creggan and are working with a number of partners to help deliver support including food, effective PPE screens masks and hand sanitiser for frontline staff and community workers on the ground.
“At this time many of the issues faced by our participants are exacerbated by the pandemic.
“Unemployment has increased, isolation has caused a deterioration in mental health and food poverty has worsened.
“We are delivering Lifehack Live online sessions to help increase connectivity and initiate conversations around issues that our young people are facing.
“We have been working for the community for over 40 years here and this is only possible by the continued support of the International Fund for Ireland through its Personal Youth Development Project and Peace Impact Project.
“We hope that we can continue this effective working partnership for many years to come.”
Dessie Kyle from HURT says: “Community engagement is now more important than ever as a high percentage of our young people are already vulnerable.
“We have ensured that participants have been able to access online training.
“The inability to move freely throughout the community or to access other services is leading to heightened anxiety.
“The engagement of the online programmes is vital to keep the young people safe and feedback is extremely favourable.
“Thanks to support from the IFI we will be able to continue to help young people with their individual journeys on the PYDP programme.”
The IFI says it is committed to delivering sensitive interventions in communities where other organisations cannot and have reassured all projects of their support throughout this period.
Mr Harte added: “The Fund is more relevant than ever. We are progressing towards the next phase of important work including the fallout from Brexit, particularly in border areas, where there will need to be significant support mechanisms in place for communities.
“These are uncertain and worrying times but I am greatly encouraged by the strength of community spirit and leadership demonstrated at the moment.”
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 and New Zealand – for their support.
The following projects have been awarded funding:
Peace Impact Programme (PIP)
Personal Youth Development Programme (PYDP)
Creggan Enterprises Ltd – Derry
£38,672
Have Your Tomorrows (HURT) – Derry
£84,043
Regenerate- Portadown, Co Armagh
£85,342
The Hubb- North Belfast, Co Antrim
£72,664
Factory Community Forum- Larne, Co Antrim
£37,472
Peace Walls Programme (PWP)
TASCIT- North Belfast, Co Antrim
£174,461
Tags: