An international fund supported by the EU, United States and Canada is set to begin a five-year campaign to promote reconciliation in the North, it emerged today.
The International Fund for Ireland has supported more than 5,000 projects in Northern Ireland and in the Border counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth since its foundation by the British and Irish Governments almost 20 years ago.
It aims to promote economic and social advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between Unionists and Nationalists throughout Ireland .
The fund's new five-year strategic plan will place greater emphasis on reconciliation in the future, fund chairman Denis Rooney said.
Mr Rooney said the shift in priorities was central to the prospects of a lasting settlement in the North.
“Building cross-community relationships is more important now than ever before. “While the economic indicators in the North and Border counties are positive, there is an enormous amount to be done in building cross-community and cross-Border relations."
The strategic plan, which will be adopted in its final form in September, comes shortly after the Canadian government announced it will raise its contribution to the organisation to €2 million Canadian dollars (€1.3 million) over four years.
The EU is set to contribute €15 millon each year in 2005 and 2006, and the United States is expected to continue its support for the fund.
“Developing a five-year timeframe for our work is the best way of ensuring its coherence and the prospects for long term success. It also means our donors' generosity is effective in changing lives and helping to build a permanent peace,” Mr Rooney said.