The North's minister responsible for aiding victims, Mr Adam Ingram, has announced an educational bursary scheme aimed at helping people whose education has suffered as a direct result of the Troubles.
The scheme is open to individuals who have lost a parent or immediate family member or "a significant other person" during the events of the last 30 years or who have themselves sustained physical or psychological injuries.
They must be able to prove that the events had a clear impact on their education; for instance, they might have dropped out of school, lost time and confidence or never received the special help they would have needed with their schoolwork.
The British government will initially invest £250,000 in the scheme. Individual applicants will receive up to £2,500 although most payments are expected to be in the form of smaller grants of £500 and less. They will be available for any purpose directly associated with applicants' educational needs as long as there is a clear link between the money requested and likely educational benefits. Items such as books, computers and tutoring fees would qualify for grants.
Mr Ingram said the emphasis of British government initiatives to help victims was now firmly placed on practical measures. He said: "This educational bursary scheme will provide some real support to individual survivors which I hope will enable them to improve their quality of life and help them face the future."
The new scheme will operate on a pilot basis and will be headed by Ms Lynda Wilson of the children's charity Barnardos. If the demand for bursaries exceeds £250,000, further funds could be allocated.
The bursary scheme is part of a series of measures in support of victims announced by Mr Ingram last summer following publication of a report on the victims of violence by Sir Kenneth Bloomfield.