Minister Cowen announces €912,300 for Reconciliation Groups: Part II
The recipients of the grants announced by Minister Cowen today also include:
Econi Ltd (Belfast) was established in 1987. The organisation's aim is to equip Christians, particularly Evangelicals, to biblically address community division and conflict and play their part in reconciliation and peace building. Allocated: €20,000
EPIC Youth Trust (Belfast) was founded in 1995 to address problems associated with the reintegration of prisoners and has since evolved to encompass a much broader remit. It contributes to reconciliation through a wide range of activities, including seeking to influence young people to engage in non-violent methods of conflict resolution. Allocated: €15,000
Based in Belfast, Farset/Inishowen & Border Counties Initiative's principle aim is to contribute to and promote community development in Northern Ireland and the border counties through the development and implementation of cross-border cultural, social and economic activities. Allocated: €20,000
Located in West Belfast, Glen Community Parent/Youth Group established in 1985 provides cross-community activities. It also provides training projects tailored for local unemployed people. The centre also runs a crèche in the complex, youth and after school activities and counselling, as well as cross-community and interface meetings in the Glen Community Complex. Allocated: €30,000
Greencastle and District Development Company (Co. Donegal) is a group concerned with the promotion of social, economic and environmental development of the Greencastle village, harbour and surrounding town lands. The group has been awarded funding towards a joint programme with the Magilligan Community Association which seeks to increase cross border activity for the purpose of social and economic regeneration. Allocated: €25,000
Hampsey Harp School has 26 students at Garvagh Community Centre. The school aims to promote the harp in this area of Derry. Allocated: €150
Based in North Belfast, Holy Cross Boys Primary School/ Ballygolan Primary School comprises two primary schools, one from each community in this interface area. The aim of the group is to promote cultural awareness, respect for cultural diversity and actively encourage social inclusiveness. The group's educational project uses ICT to assist children in different communities to use research methods, and enter dialogue locally and internationally. Allocated: €10,000
Kiddies Castle (North Belfast) is a pre school cross-community day nursery. It services low income families in an area where there is a substantial lack of child care provision and seeks to promote improved relations between the two communities, not only through on-site activities, but by supporting cross-community events in the York Road area, and also in neighbouring areas. Allocated: €40,000
Kinturk Cultural Association (Cookstown Co. Tyrone) provides cultural, social and exchange facilities in an area of high rural deprivation. It seeks to provide a neutral accommodation venue and facilities for people of all backgrounds, including cross-community farmer groups and action groups on education. Allocated: €15,000
Lawrencetown Community Enterprise Company is a group who are active in running various projects in their town of Ballinasloe in Galway. Some of these include an enterprise centre and a pre-school play group. The group was awarded funding towards a cross-border project with Lawrencetown in Co. Down. Allocated: €2,500
Marrowbone (Belfast) was formed in 1977 and comprises local residents who work together to develop community structures in the area. The group aims to provide services and programmes to foster a sense of security and pride in people from the area and to ensure that they have access to quality social and economic provisions. Current activities include a job club, youth club, Irish language youth club, community library and interface projects. Allocated: €20,000
Founded in 1993, Meath Peace Group aims to promote peace and reconciliation through dialogue, development and facilitation of understanding between people North and South and between the two main traditions on the island. Allocated: €17,000
Messines International School for Peace Studies was established to encourage those in leadership positions from both communities to engage in conflict resolution and mediation skills programmes for political analysis, discussion and development. Allocated: €20,000
Monaghan and Portadown Partnership Ltd. is a group whose aim is to provide young unemployed adults, North and South, with opportunities to gain employment. It primarily targets individuals from disadvantaged areas with low educational qualifications. Allocated: €20,000
Mullaghboy Accordion Band (Co. Cavan) ranges in age from schoolchildren to retired people, from both religious backgrounds and aims to maintain the playing of traditional music and instruments and encourage its development. Allocated: €7,500
New Border Generation Teo (Co. Louth) was established in 1988 with a direct objective of building bridges of communication and co-operation between communities in Ireland, North and South, in an effort to address the issue of conflict. Allocated: €70,000
Parkside Community Association (Belfast) was initiated by residents to improve community relations in this interface area. Current activities include a children's library, computer classes and personal development classes for young adults. Allocated: €30,000
Pat Finucane Centre for Human Rights and Social Change (Derry City) This group has been active in facilitating dialogue between the two communities. It is also engaged in ongoing research projects on issues of relevance to the community. Allocated: €20,000
The Patrick McGill Summer School brings together prominent public figures from Ireland, North and South, in a public forum to analyse and debate social, economic and political issues of concern to the island of Ireland. Allocated: €7,000
Playing for Peace was established in the US and runs six basketball programmes in NI. The organisation uses basketball to address sectarianism and foster mutual respect and tolerance by enabling children (age 10-14) from both communities to play together in a neutral environment. The group was awarded funding towards the expansion of its facilities across Northern Ireland. Allocated: €25,000
REACT (Armagh) is a voluntary community organisation which aims to promote a strong community infrastructure, and reconciliation within the community. The group seeks to achieve its objectives through training, personal and community development courses and projects. Allocated: €10,000
Scoil Shincill (Killeigh) was awarded a grant towards a cross- border school project with St. Colman's Abbey in Newry. Allocated €650
Established 7 years ago to promote cross border initiatives, STOP '96's activities include a project which aims to link primary schools from both sides in Belfast with similar primary schools in Dublin. Allocated: €19,000
The Right to Hope is a cross-border/cross-community project, which targets 16 to 25 year olds of different social, religious, political and ethnic backgrounds. The project encourages participants to examine the issue of culture on a local and international basis, through media workshops, group meetings and conferences. Allocated: €3,000
West Belfast Economic Forum is a community organisation involved primarily in research in relation to social and economic policies and their effect on the community in Northern Ireland. The organisation was awarded a grant towards a cross-community research project. Allocated: €30,000
West Ferrard Boyne Rural Development Group (Drogheda) This group aims to provide suitable facilities and guides at the Battle of the Boyne site and to create greater understanding by encouraging visitors to the site and presenting a balanced account of its history. Allocated: €2,500
Whiterock Festival (Belfast) was initiated six years ago to divert youth away from the interface during the parade season. The festival has been successful in reducing sectarian activity in the area. Allocated: €2,500
Youthlink NI, established in 1991, is a partnership of the Churches working together to develop excellence in youth work and ministry, peace building and reconciliation. Allocated €20,000
