The Fund’s achievements

Since its inception in 1986, the International Fund for Ireland has worked tirelessly to underpin efforts towards peace in Northern Ireland as these have gained momentum and evolved.

The Fund’s key achievements include:

• supporting 5,700 projects across Northern Ireland and the border counties
• leveraging other funding of almost £1.4 billion / €2 billion by putting ‘first money on the table’
• helping to create 55,000 direct and indirect jobs

An external review of the Fund’s activities by Deloitte MCS Ltd in 2005 found that:

• the Fund has an unique standing within all communities in Northern Ireland and the South, notably within areas regarded as most difficult to reach and it has been able to transcend ‘political’ disputes and tensions;

• the Fund is seen to adopt a partnership approach with local communities that is unique in the funding world;

• the vast majority of projects supported by the Fund have been located in areas designated as disadvantaged;

• nearly 75% of projects supported by the Fund will be continued under a self-sustainable income generating basis.