Annual Report & Accounts 2005
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AnnualAnnua lReportReport & & AAccoccountsunts 2005 2005 The Board 2 Chairman’s Foreword 4 A Five Year Strategy 6 Community Capacity Building 12 • Community Leadership Programme 12 Economic Development 26 • Community in Transition Programme 13 • Business Enterprise Programme 26 • KEY (Knowledge through Enterprise • Newradiane - (Research and Development for Youth) Programme 15 between Ireland and North America or Europe) 29 • LET (Learning and Educating Together) • Tourism Programme 30 Programme 18 • Urban Development 33 • Wider Horizons 20 • Community Property Development • Community Bridges Programme 21 Scheme (CPDS) 33 • Integrating Education 21 • Second Community Projects Programme 33 • Flagships Programme 33 Regeneration of Deprived Areas 22 • Investments Companies 35 • Rural Development Programme (RDP) 24 • Community Regeneration Improvement Accounts 37 Special Programme (CRISP) 25 • Border Towns and Villages Programme (BTV) 25 Appendices 55 The objectives of the Fund are: The administration of the Fund They also monitor the ongoing - to promote economic is provided by a Secretariat, operation of projects providing and social advance headed by Joint Directors assistance as necessary. - to encourage contact, General based in Belfast and This Report is presented by dialogue and reconciliation Dublin. Where appropriate, the Board to the Government between nationalists Government Departments of the United Kingdom, the and unionists throughout and public bodies act as Government of Ireland, the Ireland. administering agencies for Northern Ireland Assembly the Fund, North and South. and the Fund’s donors in The Board of the Fund is In addition, the Fund has accordance with Article 12 of appointed jointly by the engaged the services of a team the Agreement of 18 September British and Irish Governments. of Development Consultants, 1986, as amended, by which the It is assisted by an Advisory located across Northern Ireland International Fund for Ireland Committee of officials appointed and the border counties of the was established. by the two Governments. South, who act as local contact points for the Fund and assist perspective applicants to identify and develop proposals. The Board Pictured, back row, from left to right: Mr Sandy Smith, Joint Director General; HE Ambassador John Herron, Australian Observer; Mr Bob Waters, US Observer; Mr Cameron Millikin, Canadian Observer; Mr Fernando Criado Alonso, Alt EU Observer; Ms. Maeve Collins, Joint Director General. Front row: Ms Carmel Lynch; Mr John McDaid; Ms Deirdre Ryan; Mr Denis Rooney, Chairman; Ms Helen Kirkpartick; Mr Gene Murtagh; Mr Jackie Hewitt. Absent: Right Hon. Jonathan Hunt, New Zealand Observer. 2 The Board of the International Fund for Ireland is appointed jointly by the Irish and British Governments. The EU and the Governments of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are represented. 3 Chairman’s Foreword My first year as Chairman has This has meant closing long-standing brought me the privilege of seeing economic programmes which had at first hand how the International successfully fulfilled their function, Fund for Ireland has changed the in order to make resources available lives of thousands of people in the for new priorities. On behalf of the North and border counties. The Board I would like to congratulate Fund has an unrivalled ability to those involved in the execution work within isolated and and administration of these marginalised communities on both programmes and thank them for sides of the border and to make a their excellent work over the years. difference both to individual lives and to those of entire communities. This year brings to an end the I look forward to the coming year term of three members of the Board as an opportunity for the Fund to of the Fund. I would like to further develop its relationship personally extend my gratitude to with those most in need. Helen Kirkpatrick, Carmel Lynch and Gene Murtagh for their Since being appointed to the dedication to the Fund over the position by the two Governments last six years. Each has made a early in 2005, I have shared with huge contribution to the work the Board of the Fund the challenge of the organisation and Ireland of a root and branch examination is a better place, North and South, of the organisation’s work and our for their efforts. strategic direction. The result of this process is a five-year strategy The Fund’s work is only possible by launching the Fund on a final virtue of the generous and on-going phase of activity aimed at support of our donors, the European promoting cross-community and Union, the United States of America, cross-border reconciliation. Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. 4 I would like to record our sincere Importantly, the Fund has been able these shores and were able to see at appreciation to those countries for to lever further support from the first hand some of the work of the their contribution, both financially public, private and voluntary sectors Fund on the ground. and in terms of their counsel at on a ratio of more than 1:2 meetings of the Fund’s Board. In producing a total investment of Finally, I would like to place on particular I would like to more than £1.5bn (E 2.25bn). None record my thanks to the Board of acknowledge the renewal of the of this would be possible without the Fund for the enormous US contribution for 2006 and the the generosity of our donors. contribution they make to the work decision by Canada to extend its of the organisation. I wish also to involvement with the Fund for In this context I was pleased to thank the Joint Chairs and Members a further four years. welcome visits by representatives of the Inter-Governmental Advisory of Canada, the US and the European Committee who constantly review Since the Fund was set up in 1986 Union during the first half of 2005. the work of the Fund and offer £500m (E750m) has been committed A delegation from the Canadian advice on a regular basis. My thanks to more than 5700 projects across Parliament, European Commissioner also for the contributions made by a wide range of activities designated Danuta Hubner and Ambassador the Fund’s Development to meet the Fund’s objectives. Robert Tuttle of the US all visited Consultants, Agents and Secretariat and all of those groups of individuals working within communities without whose participation the work of the Fund would not be possible. As for the future, the political and social environment within Ireland has changed significantly, what was required in the 1990s is not necessarily what is needed now. Our five year strategy gives us the tools necessary to focus on reconciliation and create a better tomorrow for future generations. With the continued support of our donors, the two Governments and communities on the ground I am confident we can finish the job and leave a fitting legacy for the International Fund. DENIS ROONEY Chairman International Fund Chairman Mr Denis Rooney meets US President G.W. Bush at the White House on St Patricks Day. 5 6 Reflection on the past and definition of the future, were the two things which dominated the work of the International Fund for Ireland in 2005. 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 The organisation implemented The Fund’s objectives over the final • to facilitate more integration a fundamental review of its five years of its life will be: between the two communities; structures and priorities, seeking • to build and realise the vision of • to deal with the problems of to redefine its mission in light a shared future for the the economically inactive and of the new reality in both parts communities in Northern Ireland long-term unemployed; of the island. and both parts of the island; • to build strong strategic The result of this process is a five • to promote understanding alliances with other agencies year strategy entitled Sharing this between the different and bodies active on the Space, launching a final phase of communities/traditions ground, ensuring that efforts activity to promote reconciliation in Ireland; are complementary, sustainable in Ireland. The Fund’s existing and mutually reinforcing; Community programmes have been • to work with those communities extended, with a view to building suffering the greatest economic • to help ensure the long term a sustainable infra-structure for and social deprivation, scarcity continuation of its work in reconciliation operating beyond the of employment and poverty of Ireland beyond the lifetime Fund’s lifetime. As a consequence of aspiration using shared economic of the Fund; and this, much of the Fund’s traditional concerns more systematically • to share the expertise and economic-based activities have as a platform for stronger learning acquired over twenty ceased, with resources diverted relations and reconciliation years with peace-builders in towards grassroots community with their neighbours; other regions. development. 7 The International Fund for Ireland’s Fund programmes already work at Meeting these non-Governmental status has given grassroots level to identify, nurture objectives it a unique cachet when working and train potential leaders and with the most marginalised agents for change, particularly communities on either side of the in areas of weak community border. The fact that its resources are infrastructure. They develop the provided by donors outside of Ireland social infrastructure, confidence makes it politically neutral and gives and economic well-being essential it access to sections of society which to building bridges between are closed to state agencies. divided communities. The challenge for the future is to integrate these programmes in a coordinated and strategic way to support those communities with the greatest needs. Over the next five years the Fund • a cross-border, cross-community The mission will target areas where social need approach; and disadvantage sit alongside • a willingness to take risks on the absence of locally organised, behalf of the communities we locally managed, accountable work with; and participative community development activity.