International Fund for Ireland

The ancient oral tradition of storytelling within border communities has been featured in a new archival film unveiled at its premiere screening at Cavan County Museum. Land of Lore - Tales from Ireland's Border Counties was directed and produced in collaboration with the Creative Team at the Duncairn Arts Centre, Belfast. It features storytellers filmed on location sharing the history, folklore and traditions of their areas. The film will be hosted by Cavan County Museum and available for viewing to the public. https://lnkd.in/ewYRept9

Through a combination of training, facilitation, networking events, and development opportunities, the TLL Programme has equipped current and future leaders with the skills needed to drive local community development. It invests in development initiatives, nurtures current and new leaders, and improves succession planning. The Programme represents a significant step forward in supporting and developing community leaders dedicated to peacebuilding and collaborative efforts across Northern Ireland and the Southern Border Counties. https://lnkd.in/eeGEz-nC

The Cross-Border Youth Conference has provided young people with a wonderful forum through which to share their insights and ideas on how best to develop a better future, and through informed, engaged discussion, the best ways by which to capitalise on the opportunities that exist for young people both North and South of the Border. “The project, funded under our Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP) has gone a considerable way to fostering meaningful engagement between young people from across the participating communities. It has also provided participants with the knowledge and skills to be agents for change and to influence the type of future they wish to create.” - Paddy Harte, Chair of the International Fund for Ireland https://lnkd.in/ezcu8ztT

Young people from across several towns and villages in Portadown have gained a range of levels 1-3 training and personal development certification thanks to their participation in a project funded by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI). Evolve, which is delivered by Edgarstown Residents Association and funded through the IFIS Personal Youth Development Programme (PYDP) supports young people in developing vital skills that will build a foundation for their future prospects. The Evolve project has been funded by the IFI since 2017 and in that time the project has supported a total of 114 young people in gaining a range of qualifications which has contributed to providing alternative pathways for many young people who may, otherwise, have been lured into anti-social or criminal activity. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eHZmdwxK

Want to know more about the International Fund for Ireland and the difference we make in some of our most divided communities? https://lnkd.in/ed4mjiWV

"We have seen course participants from both sides of the border share their stories and forge genuine friendships. By taking time to listen to each other’s stories we show respect for traditions which may well differ from our own and hence real understanding can be promoted.” https://lnkd.in/ewYRept9

"The uniqueness of this type of project is its dual focus of providing an important foundation for young people whilst offering the opportunity to develop important cross-border engagement between local communities." https://lnkd.in/eu_ufP3R

In the BBC's True North programme, Derek Moore explains how the New Gate Arts & Culture Centre will help serve the community into the future https://lnkd.in/dgrY3cxp

Our Chair, Paddy Harte was delighted to welcome Joe Kennedy III to meet Board Members, Observers and some of our projects on his last official day of engagement in Northern Ireland. He shared a positive message of hope around ongoing peace and reconciliation.   Black Mountain Shared Space hosted guests in their impressive new facility, a vision that has now become a reality for the local community. This new building is delivering a range of events and activities with a cross-community focus. There has been 40 metres of Peace Walls removed to date and a further 40 metres of Peace Wall will be removed on completion of phase two, which will be part funded by the IFI. The project spoke passionately about the future and how development through social enterprise will create further collaboration and regeneration for the area.   Guests also heard from young people involved in Wall 2Wall project with Springboard Opportunities Limited. They shared their experiences of living beside Belfast’s Longest Peace Wall, Cupar Way and its impact on their local communities. It works with young people from both Catholic and Protestant backgrounds, many have now become best friends thanks to the project. By examining division in a local and international context, participants now have the confidence to create long-term positive change within their communities.   #peacebuilding #community #peacewalls #youngpeople #socialenterprise 

An 18-month long project culminated in a Cross-Border Youth Conference in Dundalk which allowed participants to share learnings and help others understand their experiences of living in a cross-border community. This provided the space to explore ways to break down barriers, overcome stigma and tackle inequality, all while seeking new ways to foster positive relationships for the future. https://lnkd.in/ezcu8ztT