Cavan included in peace building funding initiative
A total of 11 projects will be supported in their work with some of the most marginalised communities in Ulster
The International Fund for Ireland (IFI) has announced a significant funding package of €3.9M to further support peace building initiatives across Northern Ireland and the southern border counties including Cavan.
A total of 11 projects will be supported in their work with some of the most marginalised communities yet to receive substantial dividends from the Peace Process.
Cavan Local Development Company and Fermanagh Trust have been awarded €290,623 through the Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP) for a 24-month cross-community, cross-border project, that will promote peacebuilding through climate change.
Its aim is to bring communities together to support and learn from one another while embracing and embedding climate positive policies locally.
IFI Chair Paddy Harte said this latest tranche of funding comes at a “critical time” in Northern Ireland ‘s peacebuilding journey.
“While we acknowledge much progress has been made since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement over 25 years ago, it is apparent that significant challenges remain,” he continued.
“Our projects are working against a challenging backdrop. Tensions remain around increased paramilitary activity and recruitment of young people, sectarianism, criminal activity, anti-social behaviour, culture, and identity.
“We also understand that the fallout from the Windsor Framework has caused some communities to regress creating further polarisation. IFI remains one of the few organisations that can engage with the most marginalised in society.
“We are committed to working closely with communities through sensitive dialogue and conflict resolution to tackle the difficult remaining areas of peacebuilding.”
Meanwhile, six projects across Belfast and Derry have received €2,8M through the Peace Barriers Programme (PBP) to help interface communities to bring about the conditions that can allow for the removal of Peace Walls. Currently more than 1,000 residents are involved in Peace Barrier site discussions.