Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern today announced a new cross-Border scheme aimed at cutting the rise in racism.
"Synergy: North/South Intercultural Initiative" is aimed at promoting greater co-operation to tackle racism and promote practical intercultural programmes.
Speaking at the introduction, on International Day Against Racism, Mr Ahern said: "Just as racism knows no borders, initiatives like these, which are being mirrored across the EU, need to transcend borders also."
Joe Lenaghan, regional development officer of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI), told ireland.comthe project will focus its attention on the Traveller community; migrant workers; and asylum seekers and refugees, especially in the Border counties and Northern Ireland.
"It will have an emphasis on research, awareness raising and policy development amongst organisations already involved in work with minorities," he said. " It will also help central government, local government and public bodies to develop policy and practice which affects those target groups, for example, in the areas of education, health and accommodation allocation."
Based in Dundalk the initiative has secured €380,000 funding over three years from a combination of EU funding, Co-operation Ireland, Area Development Management and the Combat Poverty Agency.
Over 20 community projects, trade unions and public organisations, both North and south, are involved as partners in the project.