Lislea and Omeath groups receive IFI funding of nearly £100k

Lislea Community Association and Omeath and District Development Association have been awarded nearly £100,000 in a grant from the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) 

Funded through the IFI's Communities in Partnership Programme the two community groups will use the funding of £95,053/€107,410 over 18-months to bring women from both sides of the border and both sides of the community together, to explore the commonalities between women, provide opportunities for collaboration and shared learning among women in the area, and support the revival of the Oriel language and culture. This will be delivered across Louth and South Armagh areas including Lislea, Markethill, Keady and Newtownhamilton.

Another group to receive funding included Artsawonder who received funding of £315,492/€410,140 for the 24-month ‘The Rostrevor Group (Project 1)’ and ‘Ongoing Conversations (Project 2)’ that will facilitate contact and discussion between 15 former civil society and political leaders from communities north and south. Separately, it will connect and build new relationships between the representatives of diverse political groupings from Ireland and Britain.

The IFI has awarded £3,305,873/ €3,789,268 to 17 projects across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland to deliver peace and reconciliation work.

The latest round of funding will assist projects across range of initiatives including engaging with communities who have yet to see or experience peace dividends from the Good Friday Agreement.

Commenting on the financial support, IFI Chair Paddy Harte said; “We recognise that a lot of progress has been made but the reality on the ground indicates that there are many who feel that the Peace Process has not delivered what it should have, particularly in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

“Our projects are working within incredibly challenging environments where issues around culture, identity, flags, bonfires, sectarianism, trauma and ongoing paramilitary influences are causing deep division.

“Recent elections may also have stirred up disaffection within communities, creating more extreme political views. This can often create a vacuum of instability particularly in marginalised communities where young people can be more susceptible to paramilitary or criminal influence.

“Part of this funding is providing targeted interventions for at-risk young people, instilling confidence, and offering more positive life choices. By empowering young people to take control of their lives, we can give communities the tools to help create stability and opportunity for future generations.”