Minister Cowen announces €912,300 for Reconciliation Groups: Part I
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., today announced the allocation of grants totalling €912,300 from the Department of Foreign Affairs' Reconciliation Fund. The grants are being made to 48 organisations involved in a range of cross-community and cross-border outreach and reconciliation programmes.
Announcing the grants, Minister Cowen said:
“The commitment and dedication of so many people who carry out work to promote and foster reconciliation in their community is deeply appreciated by the Irish Government. We recognise the rich contribution of those who work behind the scenes in often challenging circumstances and conditions to make a tangible and positive change to the society that they live in.
The values of partnership and reconciliation promoted through this vital work reflect the fundamental principles enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement. Indeed, the Agreement formally recognised the importance of the work being done to promote reconciliation and mutual understanding and saw such work as playing a vital role in consolidating peace and political agreement. I am therefore delighted to be able to announce today grant support totalling €912,300 from my Department's Reconciliation Fund.”
Note for editors:
The Reconciliation Fund, established in the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1982, provides assistance to organisations involved in reconciliation work to create a better understanding between people in both parts of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. Since 1999, the Department of Foreign Affairs has awarded grants exceeding €12.3 million to more than 400 groups involved in a wide range of cross-community and cross-border reconciliation and outreach activities. The grants announced today are the final tranche of the overall allocation by the Government for 2003, bringing to over €2.5 million the amount spent this year. Recipients of the grants announced by the Minister today include:
Age Concern (Derry) is a group which aims to alleviate the effects of poverty and loneliness among older people in both communities, through educational, social, health and therapeutic activities. Allocated: €50,000
Established in 2001, Altnaveigh House Women's Group (Newry) works with women living in both rural and urban areas. Allocated: €10,000
Ardoyne Association (North Belfast) is a cross-community advice and welfare organisation that offers a variety of support services towards the improvement of the Ardoyne and surrounding areas. Allocated: €20,000
Established in 1968, Ardoyne Youth Club (North Belfast) caters for youths up to the age of 25, and aims primarily to work in partnership with young people providing social, civic and personal education, formal and informal training and educational opportunities and activities. Allocated: €20,000
Ballymagroarty Community Association is a group set up by residents of a small town in Derry located one mile from the Donegal border. The community centre in the area accommodates a variety of cross-border activities. Allocated: €30,000
Ballynafeigh Community Development Association (Belfast) is a community resource centre which promotes values of inclusion, equality and acceptance throughout the communities of lower Ormeau, Donegall Pass, Ballynafeigh, Annadale and Markets. Allocated: €20,000
Ballysillan Careforce is based close to the interface area of Ardoyne, North Belfast. It is involved in working with youth and senior citizens with an emphasis on community involvement. Allocated: €8,500
Belleek Crossborder Childcare Co. Ltd (Co. Fermanagh) offers a unique cross-border childcare service to Fermanagh, Leitrim and Donegal areas. Allocated: €20,000
Belfast Together Project This group uses soccer as a catalyst to bring together young Catholic and Protestant children from Belfast. Established in 1990, over 1,500 children have benefited from this project. Each year the group coaches children from both sides of the community in soccer skills and teamwork.
Allocated: €7,500
Carnlough Play Action Group (Co. Antrim) is involved in improving the facilities in the area for young people. The group has been successful in providing a sports facility aimed at teenagers from the area and has been awarded funding towards the development of a community playground. Allocated: €15,000
Carrick-on-Shannon Heritage Group Ltd (Co. Leitrim) is an historical society formed by local organisations including the Chamber of Commerce and Leitrim Tourism Council, with a view to conserving the heritage of the town and environs. The organisation was awarded funding towards the conservation of two heritage buildings with a view to promoting both traditions to the wider community. Allocated: €25,000
Castle Community Association is located in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim and works with the community for better facilities for local people by lobbying local statutory agencies to improve services. The Association is also involved in a cross-community youth project with Glebeside Community Association, which aims to provide a programme of social events for residents of all ages. Allocated: €10,000
Cathedral Youth Project, Derry - Sports United North and South of the River aims to contribute to a change of attitudes of those living in the interface areas through sports activities. The youth club places an emphasis on cross-community projects providing an alternative to anti-social activities. It also promotes events that impact positively on young people. Allocated: €8,500
Celebrations of Christmas Peace is a cross-border, cross-community outreach programme of Sligo Presbyterian Church, aiming to unite people, North and South, from different religious backgrounds to celebrate Christmas. The occasion will provide a forum in which people from both traditions can unite at Christmas. Now in its 7th year, victims of the conflict and their families will be invited to celebrations of Christmas Peace in Sligo, Derry and Belfast in December of this year. Allocated: €5,000
Co-operation Ireland (All island) was founded in 1979 in response to the challenge of conflict and violence in Northern Ireland and currently runs a number of programmes on a North/South basis, building relationships between communities. Allocated: €75,000
Cootehill Discovery Club (Co.Cavan) involves children from all backgrounds to come together and take part in a variety of activities including nature study, dance and games. Allocated: €1,000
Founded in 1978, Crossfire Trust (Darkley, Co. Armagh) is a charitable organisation whose principle aims include bringing healing and forgiveness to all victims of the conflict, especially in the south Armagh border region. Allocated: €25,000
Based in Duncairn Presbyterian Church, North Belfast, Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain aims to promote Irish language, history, music, drama and dance, irrespective of creed, background and ability. The organisation has established Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain, an Irish-medium primary school, Naíscoil an Lóiste Úir, an Irish-medium nursery school, and Irish language classes for parents and adults. The organisation was awarded funding towards the expansion of the facility. Allocated: €25,000
Discovering Kids Playgroup (Co. Tyrone) is a rural cross-community playgroup, whose aim is to provide a quality education and care programme for children aged 3 and 4 years, from all religious backgrounds. The group is currently engaged in a specialised quality assured training programme to cater for children with moderate special needs. Allocated: €5,000
The Early Years Project (West Belfast) provides a wide range of activities including a home visiting service to parents of new children in the Greater Shankill area, childcare facilities providing training for childminders and day care for children from the wider community. Allocated: €30,000
