Demand for community relations grants in Northern Ireland has exceeded supply by three times, it emerged today.
Applications for funding under the European Union's Peace II programme have already surpassed £21 million, despite only £7 million being available.
The deadline for applying to the scheme, which provides money to promote better community relations in areas affected by violence, passes at 4pm today.
Jim Dennison of the Community Relations Council, which administers the funds, said he was "overwhelmed" by the demand.
"We have approximately £7 million to spend, which sounds like quite a lot of money, but when run over a four year programme across Northern Ireland, it's not actually that much," he said.
"We have been very pleased. We will be able to support a number of good, solid projects but when you have a limited budget, you can only fund a limited number of people."
He added: "There has been this demand because there is a genuine keenness with individuals and organisations across Northern Ireland to actually undertake peace building work.
"Peace I was very successful in many ways, where it helped stimulate interest with community and voluntary sector organisations in addressing things like division, diversity and conflict and this is building upon that work and that's why there is the demand.
Given the recent sectarian violence in Belfast, Mr Dennison said it was good to see another injection of funds aimed at peace building.
"That will change over time and we would urge government to actually look at the good, solid work that is being undertaken by a range of organisations throughout the region and ask that that support be continued in some fashion," he said.
"We do have another four year commitment, which is excellent. We do have the commitment of in excess of 100 organisations that have applied to us and the multiplier effect of individuals involved is quite exciting."
Mr Dennison said he was disappointed that many people took a defeatist view that community relations work does not work.
"However, we like to look at the more positive aspects and we are encouraged by this influx of applications," he added.
PA