Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Reconciliation Fund was established in the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1982. It provides assistance to organisations involved in reconciliation work to help to create a better understanding between people on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. Since 1999, grants of over €24 million have been awarded to over 700 groups involved in a wide range of cross-community and cross-Border reconciliation activities. Some 134 organisations have received grants under the Reconciliation Fund since the beginning of 2007. In 2007, grants totalling €2,948,000 were paid to 103 organisations. To date, €1,418,810 has been paid to 47 organisations in 2008. The amounts paid to individual organisations and the purpose of the grants are set out in the following table:
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| An Teach Bán/The Centre for Peace Building, Donegal | This organisation aims to contribute to the co-ordination, support and development of the peace building effort in the North West Region in the context of national and international peace building practice. This allocation of funding contributed to the expansion of the organisation's outreach programme engaging communities in Donegal and increasing cross border partnerships with communities in Derry. | €50,000 |
| Ardboe Literary, Photographic and Historical Association — ALPHA, Co. Tyrone | This organisation is a voluntary association based in a rural area in Co. Tyrone that aims to educate the general public by promoting awareness of the area's heritage. This allocation contributed towards research, publication and exhibition on the life and writings of a blind school teacher who moved to Ardboe from Co. Waterford in 1914, which will be used to develop cross-border links between the area and Co. Waterford. | €5,000 |
| Ardoyne Fleadh, Belfast | This festival is organised in the months of July and August to act as a diversion for youth in the Ardoyne area of Belfast to take them away from the interfaces and and potential parades-related disturbances, and to provide alternative recreational activities. Funding was awarded towards the costs of the festival. | €10,000 |
| Ardoyne Youth Club, Belfast | This organisation aims to support the personal and social development of young people between the ages of 5 and 25. This grant contributed towards the Club's youth projects, including a number of cross-community partnerships, in an interface area in North Belfast. | €25,000 |
| Artability (NI) Ltd, Belfast | This is a community organization, founded in 1989, aimed at improving social integration by providing art, music, education and play projects to people with disabilities from all communities of North and West Belfast. Funding was awarded towards these programmes. | €15,000 |
| Arts For All, Belfast | This is a community-based arts organisation in North Belfast that targets residents that wish to develop and explore community development through art. Funding was awarded towards the organisation's programmes. | €25,000 |
| Autism NI (PAPA), Belfast | This organisation seeks to ensure that people with autism and their carers have access to appropriate services. The grant contributed towards funding places for parents from south of the border to attend joint North/South workshops and training in Northern Ireland. | €15,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Ballinasloe CT Institute, Co. Galway | This organisation aims to facilitate and maintain working relations between groups in Ireland and the UK to promote reconciliation. This allocation of funding went towards the Sixth Aughrim Summer School, which is located close to the battle site in Aughrim. | €3,000 |
| Ballougry Primary School, Co. Derry | This organisation is located in a border area on the west bank of the Foyle, and recently changed to integrated status. The school is seeking to provide activities for older children and teenagers from both communities outside school hours. This allocation of funding contributed towards fitting out the school for these evening activities. | €15,000 |
| Ballybeen Women's Centre, Belfast | This organisation is committed to enabling women and young children to realise their potential and aspirations through the promotion of health, personal and socio-economic development. This allocation went towards workshops and the creation of a cross-border network, along with training to contribute to these goals. | €15,000 |
| Ballykeel 11 Residents Association — Community House, Ballymena | This is a locally based voluntary organisation based in the Ballykeel estate, was awarded two grants to fund preparatory community capacity building work in the estate and to engage young people on cross-community basis in positive work within their area. | €5,000 in 2007 &€5,000 in 2008 |
| Ballymagroarty Hazelbank Community Partnership | This local Community Development Project based in Derry, was awarded a grant towards an inventive project that will bring people from Crevagh and Springtown wards of Derry together with people from estates in Coleraine area. Workshop topics include anti-sectarianism and conflict mediation. | €15,000 |
| Ballymena Learning Together, Co. Antrim | This organisation was awarded funding towards "Common Purpose", an innovative project that is taking all 15 year olds in community schools in Ballymena and placing them on a programme that focuses on addressing sectarianism and encouraging cultural diversity. The organisation was awarded a second grant to enable the establishment of a Michael McIlveen Scholarship, which will award one student in each of the nine schools in Ballymena a scholarship of €1,500 each year for carrying out a reconciliation project. | €50,000 in 2007 &€80,000 in 2008 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Ballynafeigh Community Development Association, Belfast | Based in an area where Catholics and Protestants have lived alongside each other since before the conflict, this organization aims to take a creative approach to community development. Funding was awarded towards the organisation's programmes. | €20,000 |
| Ballyroan & Drumcree Parishes Group, Dublin | This organisation takes Protestant and Catholic children from Portadown, Co. Armagh, to Ballyroan in Dublin for a week-long diversionary visit each year during the marching season, offering a non-threatening way for the children to mix and get to know each other. Funding was provided towards the costs of this project in both 2007 and 2008. | €3,500 in 2007 &€3,500 in 2008 |
| Ballysillan Youth for Christ Community Drop-in Centre, Belfast | This organisation provides after schools training and drop-in services to young people in a purpose-built facility in the Ballysillan estate in North Belfast. Funding was awarded towards the organisation's programmes. | €15,000 |
| Beechfield Primary School & St Bernadette's Primary School, Belfast | This organisation consists of a partnership between two parents' groups attached to Beechfield Primary School, which draws students from the loyalist Lower Newtownards Road, and Saint Bernadette's Primary School in the nationalist Ballymurphy area of Belfast. This allocation went towards a cross-community programme for pupils and parents from both schools. | €12,500 |
| Bloody Sunday Trust, Derry | This organisation provides a support network for the families of those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday and has the support of all sections of the community in the city. Funding was awarded towards the organisation's programmes. | €25,000 |
| Border Minority Groups | This allocation went towards building a project with Protestant minorities on the southern border, with the co-operation of the Equality Authority. | €25,000 |
| Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery Service, Co. Louth | This organisation provides a completely voluntary service that carries out recovery missions on both sides of the border. They are currently expanding on this cross-border work by developing a new unit that will operate in Portadown and Belfast. | €30,000 |
| Breakthru Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Project, Armagh | This is a ten-week drugs awareness course which is aimed at young women in Armagh and addresses such issues such as self esteem, confidence, depression, and dealing with stress-related abuse of alcohol and drugs. | €1,500 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Caledon Playgroup, Co. Tyrone | This organisation was awarded a grant in both 2007 and 2008 towards a summer scheme catering for children 3-12 years old from both Catholic and Protestant backgrounds, promoting cross community and interdenominational activities, promotion of tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity. | €1,500 in 2007 &€1,000 in 2008 |
| Castlederg Youth Forum, Co Tyrone | This organisation was awarded funding towards work with communities in Castlederg in order to counteract and break down the barriers created by years of sectarianism. The group will aim to draw young people away from a lifestyle involving excess alcohol and drugs and towards a life style of positive citizenship. | €10,000 |
| Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland, Belfast | This organisation aims to develop knowledge and personal skills among the Christian community and Churches to serve their communities at critical points of communal conflict and social change. The funding on this occasion was allocated towards a programme that looks at leadership and reconciliation, targeting students in Universities on both sides of the border. | €25,000 |
| Children's Voices of Ireland, Dundalk | This organisation brings children and young people from diverse socio-economic, religious and ethnic backgrounds together. Funding was awarded towards a joint cross-border initiative, including co-operation with the Peace and Reconciliation Centre in Ballycastle. | €20,000 |
| Civil Rights Commemoration Committee, Co. Tyrone | This organisation has been established to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement, and to promote inclusive discussion and debate about the role of civil rights. Funding was awarded towards the organisation's programmes. | €20,000 |
| Cloughmills Golden Oldies, Ballymoney | This organisation is a group for the elderly which aims to improve quality of life and to reduce social isolation through social networking. The organisation runs outings and activities of historical and educational interest. | €1,000 |
| Community Action for Locally Managing Stress — CALMS, Derry | This organisation works with people who are coming forward for help in dealing with issues resulting from the troubles. This funding will contribute towards a project called 'Stresswise', which aims to inform, educate and advise young people how to recognize and manage stress in their lives. | €25,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Co-operation Ireland, Dublin/Belfast | Cooperation Ireland is one of the largest organisations working to promote reconciliation on the island of Ireland. Funding was provided in both 2007 and 2008 towards the organisation's Community and Youth Exchanges Programme and 'Beyond Borders', a programme for groups within the youth and community sectors from both sides of the border. | €114,000 in 2007 &€229,810 in 2008 |
| Corduff / Killeen Pipe Bands, Co. Armagh & Co. Monaghan | These bands are working together in a cross border and cross community initiative to promote the teaching of pipe music and drumming to adults and young people in their own and different environs. | €10,000 |
| Corner House Cross Community Family Centre, Belfast | This organisation is situated on an interface between the Protestant Tiger's Bay and Catholic New Lodge areas of North Belfast. The Centre provides an informal drop-in crèche, educational classes and recreational activities for mothers and young people, and in recent years, has started to place an emphasis on cross-community work. | €7,000 |
| Corpus Christi Youth Centre, Belfast, located in West Belfast | This organisation operates provides social and personal development opportunities to young people aged 5-25. This allocation was awarded towards the Centre's cross-community relations and cultural traditions programmes. | €25,000 |
| Creggan Country Park Enterprises Ltd, Derry | This organisation is a not for profit organisation that is extending its "Reconciliation through Recreation" project to provide a diversionary programme of activity during the parading season, and brings Unionist / Loyalist Communities 'across the river' to the west bank of Derry. | €25,000 |
| Creggan Enterprises Limited, Derry | This organisation was awarded funding towards an Intermediate Labour Market Project in the Derry area which will assist the long term unemployed in returning into full time employment. The project will promote reconciliation through education, training and skills development and will work on a cross community basis. | €50,000 |
| Creggan Youth Drop-In, Derry | This is a voluntary group that caters for up to 150 young people in the Creggan Estate in Derry. This allocation was awarded to enable the Centre to carry out a wide range of activities, including cross-community work with young people from Protestant Bond Street and Lincoln Courts. | 25,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Cross Border International Arts, Cultural & Sports Week, c/o Rás na hÉireann, Dunleer,Co. Louth | This is a cross-border, cross-community event which includes activities around the week of this major international event. The main event will take place at an appropriately historical site and other events will be held at various locations in counties Louth and Armagh. | €20,000 |
| Cross Border Musical Links, Co. Louth | This organisation reaches out to students both North and South of the border and facilitates mixing between students of various traditions through the medium of music and cultural events. | €5,000 |
| Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland, Dundalk | This organisation was awarded an allocation towards their performance at the annual dinner of the Ireland Fund in New York on 3rd May 2007, at which President Mary McAleese was the guest of honour. An additional grant was awarded in 2007 towards the organisation's ongoing programmes on the island of Ireland | €125,000 |
| Cullybackey Improvement Association, Co. Antrim | This is a community based association that is building a new resource centre that will contribute to community spirit in the area, and will offer a neutral space that will enable the community to engage in cross-community activities. | €12,500 |
| Cúnamh, Derry | This organisation provides programmes and support to families who were directly affected by the events of Bloody Sunday. | €20,000 |
| Cushendall District Development Group Ltd., Co. Antrim | This organisation was established in 1990 with the aim of encouraging locally based initiatives to stimulate development in the village, and to encourage more people to become involved in community development. Based in an area with a strong Ulter-Scots ethos, the organisation has strong cross-border links with Imeall Trá in Donegal. This allocation will contribute to the fitting out of community and cultural facilities. | €50,000 |
| Derry & Raphoe Action | This organisation has been involved in cross border work for ten years and has a record of successful partnerships and links on cross border and cross community projects. The organisation seeks to promote the self confidence and capacity of border Protestants so that they will become involved in building the future of their communities. | €50,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Donaghmoyne Youth Band, Co. Monaghan / Lisnaskea Accordian & Drum Band, Co. Fermanagh | These bands arecoming together to build an understanding of their different traditions and to build stronger relationships on a cross-community basis. | €15,000 |
| Dooneen Community Association, Co. Fermanagh | This is an umbrella organisation which oversees the upkeep of Dooneen Community Education Centre, located in an isolated rural area of Co Fermanagh. The Centre provides recreational activities to members of both communities, and various cross border events are organised to promote tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity. | €25,000 |
| Dove House Community Trust, Co. Derry | This is one of the longest running community development groups based in the Bogside & Brandywell areas of Derry City. Grants were awarded in both 2007 and 2008 towards programme and running costs for a Youth Intervention Programme PATHS for 13 to 19 year olds aimed at tackling the high level of sectarian tension which often manifests itself over the summer months. | €20,000 in 2007 &€20,000 in 2008 |
| Downpatrick Listowel Linkage Group, Co. Down | This linkage group between Downpatrick, Co. Down, and Listowel, Co. Kerry, carries out excellent mediation work. Grants awarded in both 2007 and 2008 contributed towards a project that teaches participants how to handle conflict using mediation as a way to help tackle sectarianism. It aims to provide participants with a "toolkit" of relevant skills in handling conflict through mediation, with the objective of tackling sectarianism as a cause of conflict. | €25,000 in 2007 &€20,000 in 2008 |
| Downs Syndrome Association N.I., Saintfield Road, Belfast | This organisation was awarded funding to support a conference aimed at developing links north and south of the border area and between Ireland and Britain, and promoting cross community and interdenominational activities. | €10,000 |
| Drugwiser Family Support Group, Enniskillen | This is a cross-community organisation that provides a safe, confidential place for parent and siblings of addictive young people. The work of Drugwiser is purely voluntary and includes training, workshops and residential weekends for respite. | €9,500 |
| Dunamoney Community Group, Magherafelt | This organisation works with young people by organising musical practice nights and events. This grant was awarded to develop a new local cross community programme. | €5,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Dunmurry Community Association, Co. Antrim | This organisation is developing a varied programme of activities for young people that aims to address prejudice and intolerance of other people's religion and culture. By engaging with young people from other outlying interface communities this project will bring young people together on joint activities, building relationships and promoting acceptance and understanding of each other. | €15,000 |
| East Belfast Community Focus | This organisation was created in 1999 to encourage links, exchanges and visits between East Belfast and the border counties. They are currently working on 9 cross-community and cross-border projects. | €3,500 |
| East Ireland Open Bridge Congress, Co Louth | This organisation provides bridge competitions for all levels, from novices to beginners, and which traverses denominational and cross-community differences. | €2,500 |
| Families Acting for Innocent Relatives-FAIR, Co Armagh | This organisation has developed a project entitled Border Encounter, which aims to improve understanding among people from North and South, to develop practical encounters between communities in Ireland and Britain, and to raise awareness of victims' issues. | €20,000 |
| Faughart Social Group, Dundalk, Co. Louth | This organisation supports social activities for retired and mature people. The grant was awarded towards a series of programmes that will form part of a cross-border and cross-community linkage. | €11,000 |
| Fellowship of Messines Association, Belfast | This is a cross-community, cross-border organisation that aims to promote peace and reconciliation in society through the study and critical examination of the shared and common history of the people of this island. The group is currently recruiting participants for educational courses from groups in Northern Ireland and the border counties. | €60,000 |
| Fingal County Council Women in Focus, Dublin | This allocation contributed towards a conference that brought together groups involved in Fingal County Council's "Women in Focus" project. The project facilitates group meetings and discussion between women's groups from disadvantaged areas of Dublin, Donegal and Belfast. | €20,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Fountain Street Community Development Association, Tyrone | This organisation is engaged in a cross-community project involving Catholic young people from the Head of the Town Area in Strabane and Protestant young people from rural areas of Strabane, Castlederg and Donemana, which will build reconciliation within and between different cultures, traditions and communities. | €10,000 |
| Friends of the Somme — Mid Ulster Branch, Co. Tyrone | This organisation was awarded a grant to carry out a four day visit to Cork that looked at the life of Michael Collins. The trip aimed to create a challenge for members, who are mostly of a unionist background, and included a visit to the Lord Mayor's office, Collins Military Barracks, and the Michael Collins Trail. | €1,000 |
| Gasyard Wall Féile, Derry | This is a year round cultural programme based primarily in the Bogside & Brandywell areas of Derry City but with activities and events taking place throughout the city. Grants awarded in both 2007 and 2008 went towards diversionary activities during the group's annual Summer Féile, a week-long cultural and educational festival. | €7,500 in 2007 and €7,000 in 2008 |
| Gig'n The Bann Cross Community Festival, Portglenone | This festival brings together children, youths and families from both sides of the community, and encourages positive relationships between the two main traditions and immigrants. The Festival is a catalyst for all people to come together thus promoting reconciliation, tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity. | €1,500 |
| Glencree Centre for Peace & Reconciliation, Co Wicklow | Glencree is one of the largest organisations on the island of Ireland working towards peace building and the promotion of reconciliation. The Centre, through the delivery of its various programmes and summers schools, attracts participants from a large cross-section of society, with a view to building peace and reconciliation within the island of Ireland, between Ireland and Britain and beyond. Grants awarded in 2007 and 2008 will be used to support the centre's ongoing education programmes, workshops and political seminars. | €200,000 in 2007 &€200,000 in 2008 |
| Glenravel/Cullybackey Environmental Improvement Association, Co. Antrim | This organisation is working to maintain and further develop cross-community relationships between the Glenravel and Cullybackey committees and beyond into the wider communities through a local history programme and schools projects. | €40,000 |
| Greater New Lodge Festival, Belfast | This group organises diversionary activities around the parading season, including some on a cross-community basis. | €15,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Hard Gospel | This is a programme within the Church of Ireland that acts as an over-arching policy to help the Church to deal more positively with difference and to make a contribution to healing division. | €50,000 |
| Highfield Partnership, Belfas | This is an umbrella group for community projects in the Highfield area. Grants awarded in 2007 and 2008 went towards several cross-community events including a festival, events involving cross community women's groups, and interface workers' networks). | €6,000 in 2007 &€5,000 in 2008 |
| History of Border Entertainment | This is carrying out research and publication of a book on the shared history of the entertainment industry in the border area. | €1,000 |
| I.C.T.U. | An allocation of €20,000 was awarded in 2007 for the development and management of a small grants scheme (approx €500/€1500) for allocation at difficult periods, and a further grant of €80,000 was awarded in 2007 towards the development of an Anti-Sectarianism Project. | €100,000 |
| Imeall Trá Teoranta, Co. Donegal | This organisation aims to facilitate a range of cross border linkages, programmes and networks which will promote reconciliation and advance the economic, social and cultural regeneration of North Antrim and the Donegal Gaeltacht. This allocation of funding went towards the organisation's peace-building programme, cultural & heritage activities, and towards developing a network of practitioners of traditional skills across the region. | €50,000 |
| Inishowen Women's Information Network, Co. Donegal | This organisation was formed in February 2000 to support women and women's groups throughout the Inishowen peninsula. The group has been working with the Mid Ulster Women's Network from Magherafelt, Co. Derry in delivering a programme on the effects of the Troubles that aims to identify and break down barriers to enable participants to forge mutually beneficial networking links between the neighbouring counties of Donegal and Derry. An initial grant of €35,000 was awarded to the organisation in 2007, and a further grant of €90,000 was awarded in 2008 towards the development of a three year project which will recruit 74 women and develop their capacity to work in their own communities with people from all religions on projects and activities involving reconciliation. | €35,000 in 2007 &€90,000 in 2008 |
| Institute for British Irish Studies | This organisation, which is based in the School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin, was awarded funding towards an annual exchange with Queen's University in Belfast. | €2,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Irish Countrywomen's Association, Ballsbridge HQ | This organisation brought 30 members (5 from each of the counties in Northern Ireland) of the Women's Institute in Northern Ireland to join in festivities and exchange and share mutual customs, cultures etc at an event hosted by the organisation in Co. Louth. | €3,000. |
| Irish School Of Ecumenics Trust, Belfast | This is a cross border institute with centres in Dublin and Belfast which promotes dialogue, peace, and reconciliation through teaching, research and community outreach activities. This funding was awarded to support the extension of their work with community groups on both sides of the border. | €70,000 |
| Journey of Remembering, Donegal | This organisation consists of brass bands and pipe bands from both sides of the religious divide and both sides of the border, who were travelling to ceremonies in Messines. | €30,000 |
| Kilcooley Women's Education and Development Group, Co Down | This organisation provides a wide portfolio of training, education and support programmes for socially excluded and marginalized women, with the aim of encouraging a shared future for all in the locality. Alongside this, they provide training in peace and reconciliation to address the legacy of conflict in Northern Ireland, and take part in a range of cross-community activities with similar women's groups in the North and in border counties. | €20,000 |
| Kilkerley Community Development Group, Co. Louth | This organisation runs a community hall that offers the community activities such as bowls, badminton etc. that attract both cross community and cross border participants. This gives people in the area on both sides of the border an opportunity to mix and socialise in a neutral venue, thereby promoting reconciliation and tolerance of cultural diversity. | €25,000 |
| Knockconan/Aughnacloy Summer Scheme, Co. Monaghan | This organisation caters for children on both sides of the border and provides them with an opportunity to interact and communicate with each other through sports, arts and cultural activities. | €5,000 |
| L.A.T.C.H (Listening And Talking Can Help) | This organisation works with young people within a range of highly effective and successful life skills and mentoring programmes throughout schools and community based youth centres across Limavady, rural Derry and Strabane. This allocation of funding contributed to workshops exploring culture and tradition through music as part of their 'Rock the Valley' festival in 2007 and 2008. | €10,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Ledley Hall Boys & Girls Club, Belfast | This organisation is located in an interface area of inner East Belfast with social problems and a lack of local role models. The contribution was allocated towards single-identity and cross-community programmes. | €25,000 |
| Ligoniel Family Centre, Belfast | This organisation was awarded funding towards a cross-community project that will bring women together from Ligoniel and Ballysillan on a number of programmes, including cultural diversity, drug awareness, health and domestic violence. | €10,000 |
| Lincoln Courts Football Club, Derry | This organisation is carrying out a programme of coaching and a tournament for approximately 25 young people from two communities, one strongly loyalist and one strongly nationalist, in Derry in the month of August. The programme seeks to promote tolerance and acceptance of different traditions through the medium of sport. | €1,000 |
| Lough Allen Community Development Project Ltd, Co. Leitrim | This organisation was awarded a grant towards the costs of an exchange weekend that will bring a group from Ballysillan estate in Belfast to Drumkeerin in Co. Leitrim. | €3,000 |
| Loughview and Redburn Community Forum, Co. Down | This organisation was set up to improve the quality of life of residents in the two estates. The grant contributed towards the development of a Community Strategy for the area. | €15,000 |
| Lower Castlereagh Community Group, Belfast | This organisation aims to provide the whole Lower Castlereagh community with the necessary skills to gain employment, to become active citizens and to become involved in training courses. | €10,000 |
| Maiden City Festival, Derry | This festival is organised by the Apprentice Boys and seeks to encourage Protestants to be more active in the West Bank i.e. Cityside of the City. | €40,000 |
| Malahide International Festival of Piping & Drumming, Dublin | This organisation attracts a large number of bands from both Northern Ireland and Great Britain each year and gives participants and supporters an excellent opportunity to mix in a shared cultural tradition of piping. | €5,000. |
| Moyallon Development Committee (Religious Society of Friends in Ireland), Co. Armagh | The Moyallan Development Committee has built a centre suitable for day conferences, weekend and residential gatherings, and can be used as a Reconciliation Centre where groups can meet in a neutral venue. | €75,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| New Border Generation, Carlingford, Co. Louth | This organisation is a community based voluntary organisation that has developed and delivered a range of cross-border and cross-community exchanges and has established links with a variety of cross-community and cross-border network of groups. Funding has been provided towards a cross-community, cross-border initiative which will include co-operation conferences, a 'conflict transformation programme' and peer leadership programmes. | €180,000 |
| New Ireland Group, Co. Antrim | This group works to support those seeking political and social reconciliation in Ireland and invites speakers from the South to engage in public meetings. | €2,500 |
| Newhaven Trust, Newry | This organisation was set up in 1993 to help in the education, training and rehabilitation of ex-offenders, alcoholics, drug addicts and those socially excluded from society. Funding was allocated towards the group's cross-community and cross-border "Equi-Need" project which will bring four target groups together from Dundalk, Newry and Kilkeel to identify their needs and to assist them in working in partnership to improve their communities. | €25,000 |
| NIMMA -Northern Ireland Mixed Marriage Association, Belfast | This is a self-help group that does works on behalf of people in mixed marriages in Northern Ireland. A grant was awarded in both 2007 and 2008 towards the organisation's ongoing work in this area | €25,000 in 2007 &€20,000 in 2008 |
| NIPPA, Belfast | This is the largest voluntary organisation in Northern Ireland working with the under 12 age group and their families. This allocation of funding is supporting the organisation's 'Respecting Differences' project — a media programme for pre-school children and their parents which seeks to tackle sectarian attitudes. | €25,000 |
| North Belfast Youth Project | This organisation was awarded funding towards the running costs of a project that is bringing together the Glenbryn, Ardoyne and Deanby Youth groups in North Belfast. | €15,000 |
| North Leitrim Glens Development Company Ltd. | This organisation carries out a range of cross-border arts-based activities on a cross-border basis. Funding was awarded towards the group's ongoing programme costs in both 2007 and 2008. | €30,000 in 2007 &€25,000 in 2008 |
| North West Archaeological & Historical Society | This organisation was awarded funding to support its work in promoting better understanding of Irish, British and Ulster heritage through further research, lectures and exhibitions aimed at community associations in Derry, Tyrone and Donegal, and at local schools and social groups in the region. | €1,500 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, Belfast | This organisation was established in 1989 as an umbrella body to promote Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. This funding went towards an intensive training programme that will challenge attitudes in relation to sectarianism, and will embed reconciliation and diversity within schools. | €150,000 |
| Northern Ireland Trade Union Educational & Social Centre Ltd | This organisation was awarded funding towards its work in giving support to groups on both sides of the community, with people from all backgrounds willing to attend the centre. | €60,000 |
| Northern Ireland's Children Enterprise, Belfast | This organisation is a community relations organization that aims to promote reconciliation, good relations and tolerance. This allocation of funding will go towards a programme entitled 'Citizenship in a Divided Society' in schools for 11 weeks, which will cover such issues as identity, diversity, stereotypes, prejudice and conflict management. | €20,000 |
| Northside Partnership, Dublin | This organisation was established in 1991 and works with local communities that have benefitted least from economic and social development. It aims to promote social inclusion and improve the quality of life of people living in these communities. The Partnership has been engaged in assisting organisations in Northern Ireland over many years, and this allocation contributed towards the continuation of this work. | €10,000 |
| Omagh Support & Self Help Group, Omagh | This organisation was established in the aftermath of the Omagh Bomb in 1998 as a source of support and solace for those bereaved and injured. This grant contributed towards a residential in Corryemeela Reconciliation Centre for the victims (including those from Donegal) of both the Omagh and Claudy bombings. | €5,000 |
| PAKT, Lurgan | This is a cross community and family focused group delivering a range of educational and social programmes to children, young adults and parents. Funding was awarded towards an accredited cultural enrichment programme which will contribute to reconciliation through education and promotion of tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity. | €10,000 |
| Participation & Practice of Rights Project | This organisation was awarded funding towards their work in engaging the CAJ, Combat Poverty Agency, I.C.T.U. and the IICL in bringing rights and equality issues down to local level. | €10,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Pat Finucane Centre for Human Rights & Social Change, Derry | This organisation is a non-political, anti-sectarian organization that advocates a non-violent resolution of the conflict on the island of Ireland. Funding was awarded towards the group's activities including work with the families of victims of the conflict in their contact with the Historical Enquiries Team. | €25,000 in 2007 &€25,000 in 2008 |
| Puddleducks, Co. Tyrone | This organisation was awarded a grant towards the cross-community courses and activities of this playgroup based in a rurally isolated area. | €2,000 |
| Randalstown Arches Association, Co. Antrim | This organisation aims to assist the local community towards harmony, empowerment and success, and to increase their capacity by providing social and educational opportunities. This allocation of funding was awarded towards a youth project that tackles sectarianism and criminal issues in the town. | €10,000 |
| REACH Across | This organisation was awarded a grant towards cross community based programmes on Citizenship and Drug Awareness. | €4,000 |
| Rosemount Resource Centre, Derry | This organisation was awarded funding towards its existing community-based programmes to further develop the cross-border and cross-community reconciliation elements within their projects. | €25,000 |
| S.A.V.E.R. / N.A.V.E.R, Co. Armagh | This organisation engages in activities and programmes to provide respect and support to victims and their families. This allocation went towards an anti-sectarianism programme involving youth groups. | €15,000 |
| S.P.R.I.N.G Trust Ltd | This organisation contributes to reconciliation in Armagh through focussing on educational and confidence building programmes for youth and women in marginalised areas. This allocation of funding went towards a programme on anti-sectarianism and cross-border work. | €50,000 |
| Schomberg Society, Kilkeel Ltd. | This organisation aims to preserve, promote and advance the heritage, music, song, dance, language and literature of the Ulster Scots community. Funding went towards the group's activities including cross-border interaction and projects with the Limerick Peace Institute, the Drogheda Focus Group and the Border Minority Group. | €20,000 |
| Seymour Hill and Conway Community Network, Belfast | This organisation was awarded a grant towards a programme that takes young men to visit historical sites on both sides of the border and a session in Glencree with trained facilitators to promote reconciliation and tolerance of cultural diversity. | €5,000 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebrations | This organisation pursues an annual Christmas celebration promoting contact between Northern Ireland and the border counties. | €5,000 |
| St. Bernard's Primary School/Lisnasharragh Primary School | These schools are working together with the aim of developing a real and lasting partnership between the two communities. The two principals and the Parent-Teacher Associations of both of these schools have recently come together to explore ways of establishing lasting cross-community links between the two schools. This allocation of funding will contribute to the development of a broad range of indoor and outdoor play opportunities outside of school hours that will actively bring children and their parents together. St. Bernard's is the only Catholic primary school in East Belfast. | €20,000 |
| St. Louis House, Belfast | This organisation was awarded a grant towards its work with young people from all churches to provide a network of community leaders that will go and work with other youth organisations as tutors. | €12,500 |
| St. Patrick Centre, Co. Down | This cross-community organisation was awarded funding towards programmes in both 2007 and 2008 which included a project that uses St. Patrick as a model for cross-community work, and particularly with young people, north and south, addressed issues such as identity, stereotypes and understanding conflict. | €29,000 in 2007 &€30,000 in 2008 |
| St. Patricks College, Bearnageeha | This organisation was awarded funding towards a three year project which enables Protestant students in North and East Belfast to sample Gaelic games, both hurling and shinty, and at the same time encourages East-West development with groups in Scotland. | €75,000 |
| St. Theresa's Youth Centre | This organisation has provided activities for young children in a difficult area of West Belfast for the past thirty years. This allocation went towards the group's project costs and its work with youth. | €15,000 |
| Summer Madness, Belfast | This is an event involving up to 5000 young people in diversionary activities in Belfast over one week each year. Funding was awarded towards this event in 2007, with a further grant awarded to the organisation in 2008 to extend the project to Dublin, with the intention of bringing together 200-400 young people to take part in their activities. | €25,000 in 2007 &€9,500 in 2008 |
| Organisation Name | Purpose of Grant | Grant Paid |
| Tara Counselling & Personal Development Centre, Omagh | This organisation provides a counselling service on a cross-community and cross border basis, which aims to address the trauma and hurt of conflict experiences. This grant was awarded towards a 2 year reconciliation programme which will look at sectarianism, tolerance, forgiveness and identity. | €50,000 in 2007, €50,000 in 2008 |
| The Corrymeela Community | This organisation received funding for the 'Rathcoole Youth Project', a positive citizenship programme for marginalised young people that is being run by Corrymeela. The project will target young men aged 14-17 from a loyalist background who have been involved in disorderly and anti-social behaviour. | €7,000 |
| The Gateway Club, Co. Tyrone | This organisation is special needs club located in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone that is carrying out cross-border links with similar groups in Sligo and Donegal. | €2,500 |
| The H.U.R.T. Group, Lurgan | This is a conflict trauma organisation that has been very active and a positive influence in helping victims in Northern Ireland move forward. Funding was awarded towards a reconciliation programme for its youth group and potential leaders that will be held over a 12-month period. | €25,000 |
| Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Foundation | This organisation is organizing a three-year Leadership Development Programme aimed at developing young British and Irish people together through a structured, comprehensive programme of learning that will take place in Ireland, North and South, and Britain. | €75,000 |
| Tipperary Peace Convention | This organisation aims to promote peaceful ideals, through music, song, debate, and the recognition of individuals who have a particular noteworthy contribution to peace, through a Festival of Peace which is held on an annual basis. | €2,000 in 2007 &€2,000 in 2008 |
| Traditions Meet | This organisation consists of a brass band and a pipe band from both sides of the religious divide. Funding was awarded towards a project in which a CD was compiled with emphasis placed on the musical talents of the bands involved. This project will look at different social, cultural and traditional history of the cross-community groups involved. | €15,000 |
| Truagh Development Association, Co. Monaghan | Based in a mixed community in Co. Monaghan, aims to rebuild relations with neighbours both locally and across the border. | €15,000 |
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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