Fund for Ireland announces £3.5 million for peacebuilding initiatives

More than £3.5 million has been announced by the International Fund for Ireland for peacebuilding initiatives across the island.

The funding will support those working to reimage or remove peace walls, among other projects.

There are estimated to be more than 100 barriers in place, mostly in Belfast but also in Co Armagh and Derry, ranging from high concrete walls to gates, fences and buildings.

Peace walls were initially erected from the 1970s in response to attacks and disorder during the Troubles, and are owned by a number of different organisations, including the Department of Justice, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and private bodies.

The IFI said six projects across Belfast and Derry have received £2,405,681 through the Peace Barriers Programme (PBP) to help interface communities bring about the conditions that can allow for the removal of barriers.

They said there are more than 1,000 residents involved in various discussions.

Two projects received £420,981 to build cross border relationships and two projects under the Personal Youth Development Programme (PYDP) have received £386,788 to support the most at-risk young people in society.

The Peace Impact Programme is receiving £301,761 to work through sensitive interventions in communities that have not previously, or have only partially, taken part in peacebuilding and reconciliation activities.

IFI chairman Paddy Harte said the support comes at a “critical time in our peacebuilding journey”.

“Whilst 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 said.

“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.

“The 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.”

The IFI was set up by the British and Irish Governments as an independent international organisation in 1986 and is supported by international donors including the Irish, British, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand governments and the European Union.

It currently supports 81 projects in Northern Ireland and 20 in the southern border counties.