11 International Fund For Ireland FORDHAM UNIVERSITY 8 JUNE 2011

2 International Fund For Ireland Stella O’Leary US Alternate Observer to the IFI

3 Background to the Fund 1986 Anglo-Irish Agreement 1986 Anglo-Irish Agreement Fund Established by International Treaty between the governments of Ireland and the UK Fund Established by International Treaty between the governments of Ireland and the UK Donor Countries Donor Countries  United States of America  European Union  Canada  Australia  New Zealand

Funding the IFI The main donors to the IFI are: The main donors to the IFI are: United States of America – $ 532 million United States of America – $ 532 million European Union - € 349 million European Union - € 349 million In 2010 the US provided $ 17 million and the EU € 15 million In 2010 the US provided $ 17 million and the EU € 15 million 4

5 Objectives of the Fund Article 2 The objectives of the Fund are to promote economic and social advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists throughout Ireland.

Ireland Areas of IFI activity: Northern Ireland Border counties 6

Economic conditions in 1986 Unemployment in NI – 17 %; Unemployment in NI – 17 %; Unemployment in southern border counties – 18 %; Unemployment in southern border counties – 18 %; Emigration was endemic. Emigration was endemic. 7

8 The Fund’s Early Work Encouraging Entrepreneurship Encouraging Entrepreneurship Developing Workspace Developing Workspace Developing Infrastructure for Tourism Developing Infrastructure for Tourism Establishing cross-border Partnerships Establishing cross-border Partnerships Regenerating Urban Areas Regenerating Urban Areas Supporting Agriculture & Fisheries Supporting Agriculture & Fisheries Supporting Science & Technology Research and Development Supporting Science & Technology Research and Development

9 Impacts and Achievements Over € 753 million investment in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties. Over € 753 million investment in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties. Leverage of other funds on a ratio of 1:2.40 producing a total investment of over $1.6bn. Leverage of other funds on a ratio of 1:2.40 producing a total investment of over $1.6bn. Fund-supported projects have helped create more than 55,000. Fund-supported projects have helped create more than 55,000.

Promoting links via tourism The Shannon - Erne Waterway Linking Ireland: North and South 10

Promoting Tourism... The Shannon – Erne Waterway 11

Shannon – Erne Waterway... Linking communities... Creating prosperity... 12

Enterprise centers... Promote small scale local businesses Promote small scale local businesses Provide practical support Provide practical support Provide training for local people Provide training for local people 13

Ardee enterprise center: Co. Louth 14

Ardee enterprise center: Co. Louth

16 Impacts and Achievements up to September 2010 Contd Over 6,000 projects have been offered support across the Fund’s programs. Over 6,000 projects have been offered support across the Fund’s programs. More than 35,000 young people have participated in training / work experience programs, which also include a focus on reconciliation. More than 35,000 young people have participated in training / work experience programs, which also include a focus on reconciliation. Around 21% of projects are cross-border. Around 21% of projects are cross-border.

17 Programme Characteristics Contd Early support for community initiatives through ‘first money on the table’. Early support for community initiatives through ‘first money on the table’. Co-operation with other funders and leveraging of funds from other sources. Co-operation with other funders and leveraging of funds from other sources. A willingness to innovate and to break new ground in support of reconciliation. A willingness to innovate and to break new ground in support of reconciliation. A responsive approach to donor priorities. A responsive approach to donor priorities.

Loyalist mural... 18

Loyalist mural... 19

Republican mural... 20

Glencree... Promoting Dialogue Reconciliation Sharing 21

22 Sharing this Space Strategic Framework from 2006 Building Foundations Building Foundations Building Bridges Building Bridges Building Integration Building Integration Leaving a Legacy Leaving a Legacy

23 Programme Characteristics A clear focus on reconciliation as the over riding objective. A clear focus on reconciliation as the over riding objective. An independent and credible approach with strong international backing. An independent and credible approach with strong international backing. A cross-community, cross-border approach. A cross-community, cross-border approach. A willingness to take risks on behalf of the communities we work with. A willingness to take risks on behalf of the communities we work with.

Island of Ireland Peace Park: Belgium 24

Island of Ireland Peace Park: Belgium President Mary McAleese HM Queen Elizabeth II HM King Albert of the Belgians 25