Minister Michael Kitt announces additional funding of €23m for NGOs

The Minister of State for Overseas Development, Mr Michael Kitt TD, announced today  new three year agreements with eight Irish - based aid development agencies.

Under the terms of the agreements the Irish government will provide funding of approximately €23 million over three years to support the development programmes of these non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in many of the world’s poorest countries.  The eight participating agencies are AidLink, Children in Crossfire, Christian Blind Mission, Frontline, Plan Ireland, Progressio Ireland, Vita, VSO Ireland. 

Making the announcement, Minister Kitt said:
“The funding I have announced today is further evidence of the very positive collaboration between the Government and development agencies based in Ireland.  It marks a new and important stage in the relationships between Irish Aid and each of these agencies. The decision also honours the Programme for Government commitment to increase the number of organisations in receipt of Block-Grants over the next five years.”

These NGOs are part of an initial group of organisations which were invited to apply for a multi-annual Block Grant, based on a successful track record of previous project implementation. The decision to approve funding follows a comprehensive assessment  of each of the organisations to assess the extent of their capacity to operate within the multi-annual block grant programme.   

Note to Editors :
The funds will be targeted at poverty reduction programmes in over 22 countries in sectors such as education, health, disability, water, sanitation, food and at strengthening the capacity of people in the developing world to pursue their human, economic and social rights. The breakdown of the funding is as follows:
Aidlink      €3.785m
Children in Crossfire     €3.000m
Christian Blind Mission (CBM)   €2.550m
Frontline      €1.425m
Plan Ireland      €3.150m
Progressio Ireland     €2.765m
Vita (formerly Refugee Trust International)  €2.765m
Voluntary Service Overseas Ireland (VSO)  €3.790m.

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Press
30/4/08