Minister for Foreign Affairs announces grants totalling €850,000 for the Reconciliation Fund and Anti-Sectarianism Fund

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D., has announced the final round of grants for 2008 from his Department’s Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds.  48 separate grants amounting to some €850,000 are being made to groups involved in a wide range of cross-community and cross-border activities.

The Minister noted that the Reconciliation Fund has been an important element in pursuing one of his Department’s key objectives of promoting lasting peace and reconciliation on the island.  Minister Martin emphasised in particular that “the progress achieved on the political front needs to be consolidated by tackling the pressing challenge presented by sectarianism and division”.

Speaking to those attending the Gala Dinner, Minister Martin said that “when we reflect on what we have been through, the achievements in building peace on the island can be clearly seen”.  He added, however, that “there is still work to be done by Co-operation Ireland and others, with the support of the Governments and other benefactors, to sustain these achievements”.

Co-operation Ireland was among the beneficiaries of grant assistance.  The Minister noted that his Department has provided “some €230,000 in grant-aid in 2008, which will contribute to Co-operation Ireland’s ability to deliver its Beyond Borders and Community Youth and Exchanges Programmes.”

The Minister concluded his remarks by wishing Co-operation Ireland continued success and he underlined the simple and powerful message at the core of Co-operation Ireland’s activities – we stand to achieve more by working together.

Note for Editors:

The Reconciliation Fund was established in the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1982 and provides assistance to organisations involved in reconciliation work in order to help create a better understanding between people on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.

The Anti-Sectarianism Fund, launched in February 2008, seeks to assist projects in interface areas designed specifically to address the root cause of sectarianism and to diffuse tensions.

Details of the grants to individual applicants is appended.

This is the third announcement of funding in 2008 under the Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds.  Details of previous recipients are available on the Departments website.