Minister Cowen announces £262,250 for groups promoting Reconciliation

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen T.D., today announced the allocation of grants totalling £262,250 from the Department of Foreign Affairs' Reconciliation Fund. The grants were made to over 10 organisations involved in a wide range of cross-community, educational, research and outreach activities.

Announcing the grants, Minister Cowen said:

"I am particularly pleased that the largest grant is being provided to the "Survivors of Trauma" organisation. This victim support group is carrying out tremendous work in North Belfast, an area which has suffered greatly in the troubles. We must never forget or minimise in any way the suffering of the victims of the last 30 years.

"The Good Friday Agreement underlined the need for reconciliation between the traditions on this island and the promotion of a culture of tolerance at every level of society. These grants recognise the valuable work being undertaken by voluntary organisations across the country in seeking to achieve reconciliation between the different traditions on this island and between Ireland and Britain."

" The work being done by them over many years has contributed to the achievement of the Good Friday Agreement and I believe that these organisations will continue to play an important part in promoting the trust that is so essential to the success of the Agreement and in consolidating peace."

Note for editors:

The Reconciliation Fund, established in the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1982, provides assistance to organisations involved in reconciliation work and creating better understanding between people in both parts of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. It was increased eight-fold in 1999 to £2 million. This is the second tranche of funding made this year. Details of the projects are available from the Reconciliation Unit.

Recipients of the grants announced by the Minister include:

• Survivors of Trauma, Belfast; allocation £120,000

A grant towards the development of a community based trauma centre to assist the victims, their families and relatives.

• Nexus, Preparing Youth for Peace, Dublin; allocation £50,000

A programme of events organised by the Presbyterian Youth Board which brings leaders and young people from all traditions for training and face to face engagement thereby creating a better understanding between the people of this island

• Community Games; allocation£30,000

This is a project in the border counties aimed at breaking down barriers.

• Ardoyne Fleadh, Belfast; allocation £25,000

A community festival to be held during August.

• North Fermanagh Donegal Partnership; allocation £20,000

This is a partnership of 7 cross-community groups dedicated to the social, cultural and economic development of the region.

• Moy Valley Co Mayo Branch Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann; allocation £10,000

Grant towards the costs of organising a cross border music and sporting event.

• Cumann Merriman; allocation £4,000

Summer school on theme Five territories at the dawn of the Millenium

• Cork Lions Club; allocation £2,000

Contribution towards cost of restoring the Cenotaph.

• Ballinamere Primary School; allocation £750

Contribution towards cost of cross-border project.

• Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland; allocation £500

Contribution towards cost of Donal Burke Memorial Lecture.Top