Peace fund allocates more than £3m to reconciliation projects

More than £3 million has been invested in projects promoting reconciliation in Northern Ireland and border counties.

The International Fund for Ireland has awarded £3.3 million to 17 projects which work to deliver peace and reconciliation work, including with communities who feel they have yet to experience peace dividends after the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

Fund chairman Paddy Harte said the projects work in “incredibly challenging environments” where issues around culture and identity cause deep division, and where paramilitaries continue to wield influence.

“We recognise that a lot of progress has been made but the reality on the ground indicates that there are many who feel that the peace process has not delivered what it should have, particularly in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland,” he said.

“Our projects are working within incredibly challenging environments where issues around culture, identity, flags, bonfires, sectarianism, trauma and ongoing paramilitary influences are causing deep division.

“Recent elections may also have stirred up disaffection within communities, creating more extreme political views. This can often create a vacuum of instability particularly in marginalised communities where young people can be more susceptible to paramilitary or criminal influence.”

Mr Harte said part of the funding is providing targeted interventions for at-risk young people, instilling confidence and “offering more positive life choices”.

“By empowering young people to take control of their lives, we can give communities the tools to help create stability and opportunity for future generations,” he said.

Ten projects have been awarded through the Personal Youth Development Programme (PYDP), while the Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP) has supported six projects to help build resilience and empower communities to build stronger, meaningful cross-border partnerships.

One project under the Peace Impact Programme (PIP) will benefit from funding to deliver sensitive interventions in communities that have not previously, or have only partially, participated in peacebuilding and reconciliation activities.

Mr Harte added: “Thanks to the ongoing support of our international donors, we can continue to deliver unique peacebuilding programmes.

“We are committed to supporting those who need interventions the most and are one of the few organisations who are prepared to take these risks to help create an inclusive, shared future for all.”

The fund 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 Irish border counties.