Paddy Harte, chairman of the International Fund for Ireland
The IFI has announced £1,029,436 funding to provide support to a range of projects across the North of Ireland and the southern border counties.
This package comes at a fragile time in peace building as political instability and the cost-of-living crisis threaten to cause polarisation and further breakdown in community relations.
The IFI was set up by the British and Irish Governments as an independent international organisation in 1986.
It delivers a range of peace and reconciliation initiatives across Northern Ireland and the southern border counties. It currently supports a total of 38 projects in Northern Ireland and 23 in the southern border counties.
Funding will be awarded to 10 projects across three IFI Programmes including the Peace Impact Programme (PIP), Personal Youth Development Programme (PYDP) and Communities in Partnership (CiPP).
The Derry projects receiving funding are:
* Creggan Enterprises Limited has received £76,268 under the Peace Impact Programme (PIP) for one year to continue work with at risk young people and residents with cross-community, multi-cultural and marginalised community engagement through quiet diplomacy, mediation, and community intervention.
* Resolution North West will use £163,105 through PIP to deliver a two year programme that aims to build stronger, more confident communities focusing on transitioning and mentoring, culture and identity, and mediation, based in the Waterside area of Derry/Londonderry.
* Waterside Theatre Company with partner Amharclann Ghaelige Ghaoth Dobhair in Donegal under Communities in Partnership (CiPP) will use £94,859 for a one year cross-border and cross-community creative arts programme, focusing on building meaningful, lasting cross-border relationships and connections between people that share an interest in the creative arts and literature north and south.
IFI Chair Paddy Harte welcomed the latest funding package; “This support comes at a critical time and will benefit many communities under our current Programmes.
“Peace building work with those who are often hardest to reach has never been more important. Our projects are working tirelessly in a very difficult climate to engage with those who have not felt the benefits of the Peace Process.
“We are committed to delivering cross-community and cross-border outreach, encouraging challenging conversations to deal with the current issues as well as the legacy of The Troubles.
“In the past 12 months, the IFI has engaged with over 19,000 people in capacity building, events, and training.
“Through tailored and unique support, 862 young people have achieved accreditations and 125 secured employment.
“These encouraging outcomes show that it is possible to achieve positive community transformation, but we must continue to build on this for future generations.
“However, the continuing suspension of the NI Executive and the on-going uncertainty around the NI Protocol are causing polarization and hardening views across some communities in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.
“Unfortunately, this has led to increased mistrust, disillusionment, and the feeling of being left behind with little optimism for the future.
“If we add the cost-of-living crisis into this mix, the stark reality is that many marginalised communities who feel they received little from the Good Friday Agreement remain the most vulnerable and need positive intervention.
“The current instability has created a large vacuum filled with opportunity for paramilitary groups to exploit and gain prominence.
“We also recognise the importance of offering opportunities for young people who, without this support, would remain more susceptible to paramilitary recruitment or anti-social behaviour.
“We continue to successfully divert young people away from activity that could be detrimental to their future.”
The Peace Impact Programme (PIP) is receiving £495,496/€559,911. It delivers work through sensitive interventions in communities that have not previously, or have only partially, participated in peace building and reconciliation activities.
The Personal Youth Development Programme (PYDP) will use £184,683/ €208,692 to help the most at-risk young people in society to improve their confidence and personal resilience, develop a better understanding of culture and identity, and develop practical skills that improve their employment prospects.
Border communities will receive £349,257/€394,660 through the Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP).
This important Programme aims to build resilience and empower communities to develop strong cross-border partnerships that deliver meaningful benefits through local leadership.
The Rio Ferdinand Foundation is a new addition to funding under this programme across County Fermanagh and County Leitrim.
It will support and empower young people through sport and workshops to unlock their potential.
The funding was announced at the IFI’s recent Board meeting in County Fermanagh.
The Chairman took the opportunity to thank international donors to the Fund – the British and Irish Governments as well as the Government of the United States of America. The Chair also thanked the Fund’s international observers, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – for their continued support.
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