Almost €200K Peace funding for Swanlinbar project

Uncertainty around Brexit and the ongoing political issues in Northern Ireland are posing a challenge to the efforts of communities trying to achieve positive and lasting peace, according to the International Fund for Ireland.
This assertion follows the announcement of the IFI’s latest funding package, which will see a total of €3,149,627 invested in 17 projects, all working to deliver positive change for the local communities, where they operate. The funding has been allocated to initiatives across the Peace Impact Programme (PIP), Personal Youth Development Progamme (PYDP) and Peace Walls Programme (PWP). 
The latest support also sees €198,031 for Swanlinbar Development Association through the IFI’s Peace Impact Programme, which aims to build sustainable peace and prosperity in areas suffering from high levels of economic and social deprivation where there has been low levels of peace building.
Dr Adrian Johnston, chairman of the International Fund for Ireland says: “There are a number of obstacles facing community organisations at the moment many of which are hampering further progress in peace building. Our programmes are making a valuable contribution despite instability at a political level and in some cases a sense of alienation towards reconciliation efforts.
“Without a functioning Executive and political representatives working together in partnership at Stormont, the community sector is left at risk of being polarised once again. 
“The most marginalised sections of our society are being further impacted by not resolving the long term issues they continue to face as a legacy of the past. Our projects operate in areas that face many of these challenges including deprivation, low employment skills, mental health issues, drugs and alcohol abuse and paramilitary activity to name a few." 
Swanlinbar will use €198,031 funding to extend its ‘Finding our Way’ project for two years in the border region of West Cavan and Fermanagh. The cross- community, cross-border development project will support and create opportunities for learning and education, community transformation and peace building.
Dr Johnston adds: “We know that the IFI must continue to engage in communities where others aren’t in order to achieve positive, lasting transformation. Without support from other key organisations/ government, the Fund alone cannot deliver on the scale that is required.  
“It is vital that we continue to pave the way for peace building and continue to support projects as much as possible in order to help resolve legacy issues that continue to affect communities in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.”
The funding packages announced are geographically spread across Northern Ireland and border counties, indicating the need that still exists in local communities for continued support. The chairman took the opportunity to thank the international donors to the Fund - the European Union and the Governments of the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand - for their support.