Removing barriers to a lasting peace Annual Report & Accounts 2017 OUR KEY PRIORITIES Developing and funding initiatives that tackle segregation and promote integration to build a lasting peace in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties of Ireland. LONDONDERRY/DERRY DONEGAL ANTRIM TYRONE DOWN FERMANAGH ARMAGH LEITRIM MONAGHAN SLIGO CAVAN LOUTH CONTENTS 02 Chairman’s Foreword 06 The Board 09 Introduction 10 Peace Walls Programme 24 Peace Impact Programme 44 Personal Youth Development Programme 62 Shared Education Programme 64 Reaching Out 68 Accounts ABOVE: A young person attends an educational visit organised by a Peace Impact Project. COVER IMAGES MAIN: Work starts to remove security barrier at Springhill Avenue, West Belfast. RIGHT: Children celebrate at a cross- community event. LEFT: A paramilitary mural in Belfast is a reminder of the issues still to be resolved. ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2017 | 1 Chairman’s Foreword The past year has been a challenging one and it would be wrong to ignore the political instability and continued absence of a power-sharing administration at Stormont. At the time of writing, Northern Ireland peacebuilding activities and resist has been without a functioning Executive polarisation. In recent months, our for more than a year with the largest approach has enabled communities to parties remaining at odds on a number move forward and secure significant issues, unable to find a compromise that progress on a number of complex issues. would prevent a return to direct rule from Westminster. In the summer months we were pleased to welcome the establishment of the I have no doubt that the absence of a Independent Reporting Commission, a new functioning Assembly and impact of intergovernmental organisation that will reduced public spending will add new monitor progress on efforts to tackle violent pressures to many of the most marginalised organised crime in Northern Ireland. This is communities, eroding confidence in the an important milestone in addressing some political process and expectations of a of the most challenging and intractable better life. issues that impact upon communities. Our work over the decades has been We recognise the opportunity to work with conducted in parallel with the political the Commission and the potential alignment process and the current context has only of its mission with our Peace Impact, Peace served to strengthen the International Walls and Personal Youth Development Fund for Ireland’s resolve to support programmes. Each has been active in communities to remain engaged in creating opportunities to disrupt the cycle of 2 | ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2017 violence. The risks that projects are taking, FRC in County Monaghan reflect the breadth MAIN: The with our support, are paying dividends at a and quality of this programme. Their Chairman of the Fund pictured at challenging time for communities and the experiences illustrate how communities the launch of new Peace Process. with limited peace building experience baseline surveys that collected the views are taking necessary risks in difficult of residents who are This report describes the progress of these areas, reducing community tensions and most affected by their proximity to programmes and I hope that, through the supporting those who may otherwise Peace Walls. case studies, it captures some of the real-life be drawn towards unlawful activity. experiences of those involved in projects ABOVE: A young person shares their that we support and the lives being changed This has been a landmark year for our views at a Peace as a result. Peace Walls Programme, with a number Walls event. of physical changes and removals secured. Projects within our Peace Impact Towards the end of the reporting period, Programme – supported with the assistance we completed a major survey among the of the United States of America – have residents that are most affected by their continued to bring forward ambitious new proximity to peace barriers. Critically, approaches to deal with sensitive topics that the findings indicate that the majority of continue to divide and isolate communities. people envisage a time when there is no need for Peace Walls, but it also identifies In this report, stories from the Twaddell the challenges that currently prevent Woodvale Residents Association in North communities from making progress on Belfast, Éalú in County Tyrone and Clones barrier removal or reduction. ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2017 | 3 International Fund for Ireland Chairman, Dr Adrian Johnston (third from left), is pictured at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards in October with Michael Tunney, Irish Diaspora; Prof Brandon Hamber, John Hume Tip O’Neill Chair in Peace Studies at Ulster University; Tom O’ Neill; Marty Meehan, University of Massachusetts; and Dr Malachy O’Neill, Ulster University. Our work over the decades has been conducted in parallel with the political process and the current context has only served to strengthen the International Fund for Ireland’s resolve to support communities to remain engaged in peacebuilding activities and resist polarisation. 4 | ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2017 A lot has been achieved in this area through Washington DC for a special peace building the Fund’s investment, but a lot more event organised by the U.S. Institute of Peace remains to be done. I believe we urgently (USIP) and the Embassy of Ireland. need to see the route-map for the proactive delivery of the Government’s Together: The event was designed to examine what Building a United Community (TBUC) 2023 lessons from the Fund might be applied Strategy for Peace Walls. We also need to to the difficult process of peace-making see clearly where this work sits with other and peace building between Israelis and priority strategies relating to the delivery of Palestinians. This event has served to the Fresh Start Agreement and the Tackling deepen the knowledge share between the Paramilitarism agenda. Fund and Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP), an independent network of non- In early 2016, we launched our Personal governmental organisations that is working Youth Development Programme and it has to foster reconciliation between Israelis and found its stride in the last year attracting Palestinians, and between Arabs and Jews in courageous and exciting projects, like the Middle East. We remain committed to Roe Valley Residents Association in Co ensuring that the experience and expertise Londonderry-Derry, Galbally Youth and of the Fund will be shared as broadly as Community Association in Co Tyrone and possible with those who could benefit ABOVE: The Fund is creating North Connaught Youth & Community from it. opportunities that Service in Co Leitrim. It has given all of us improve the lives of young people and involved in the Fund enormous satisfaction We remain grateful to our international their communities. and pleasure to see this programme develop donors for their support and encouragement. quickly and make a profound difference in We are particularly fortunate to have many young lives. representatives from these countries serving as Observers at our Board Meetings, The Fund can only deliver on its objectives providing valuable insight and guidance. because individuals and communities They are aware, as is everyone in the Fund, are willing to take the risks with us. The that further work is needed to repair the projects we have supported, and continue human damage wrought by years of turmoil to support, should be commended for their and to put our society on track to lasting unstinting bravery and leadership. peace and stability. Many parts of the world are currently Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would like engaged in the process of building peace to thank the Joint Chairs and Members of between conflict torn communities. the Inter-Governmental Advisory Committee The Fund has been active in sharing its for their guidance and advice; and the experiences and lessons on a global basis. Secretariat, our Programme Managers, This year we have met with delegations Managing Agents, and partners for the from Colombia, Israel and Palestine and, in extensive time that they devote to ensuring March, I joined Senator George Mitchell in our work can make a meaningful difference. ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2017 | 5 The Board The Board of the International Fund for Ireland is appointed jointly by the British and Irish governments. Representatives of the United States of America, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand attend meetings of the Board. 6 | ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2017 Pictured are (L-R back row) Mr Allen McAdam; Dr Adrian Johnston, Chairman; Mr Paddy Harte; Mr Billy Gamble; (L to R front row) Mrs Siobhan Fitzpatrick CBE; Ms Dorothy Clarke; and Mrs Hilary Singleton. The United States of America, The European Union and governments of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand were represented this year by: Mr Dan Hynes and Ms Stella O’Leary, United States of America; Ms Tamara Pavlin, European Union; Mr Brian Doherty, Canada; His Excellency, Richard Andrews, Australia; and Mr Rob Taylor, New Zealand. ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2017 | 7 The International Fund for Ireland was established as an independent international organisation by the British and Irish governments in 1986. With contributions from the United States of America, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the total resources committed by the Fund to date amount to £728m and €914m. CANADA EUROPEAN UNION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AUSTRALIA