Guidelines for applicants to the International Fund for Ireland’s Community Based Economic & Social Regeneration Programme

In examining whether a project proposal is suitable for support under the Community Based Economic & Social Regeneration Programme, the Board of the International Fund for Ireland will try to ensure that the project matches as closely as possible the objectives and characteristics set out in the Fund’s strategy. In reaching a decision on whether to support a project, the Board will ask the following questions:

1. Does the Project operate in/impact on a recognised deprived area? The Fund may use one or more of the following indices to assess deprivation: SHARU; Noble; New Noble; eligibility under Clár; and may also examine unemployment, population, crime, health and educational attainment statistics in reaching a decision on whether the project addresses disadvantage.
2. Is there a strong, active and sustainable reconciliation aspect to the project?
   Reconciliation will have one or more of the following features:
   
   • shared vision of an interdependent and fair society;
   • acknowledgement and resolution of the past;
   • positive relationship building;
   • stimulation of cultural and attitudinal change; and
   • stimulation of social or economic change.
   
   
3. Are there identifiable cross-community elements to the project?
   
4. Are there identifiable cross-border elements to the project?
5. Is there a broad cross section of the community involved in the
   project?
6. Is there sufficient capacity to implement the project? For example, experienced, committed personnel, adequate data, resources, etc.

While a negative answer to one or more of the above questions will not necessarily disqualify a project, a project which can demonstrably answer “yes” to all of the questions, or which can show that very strong outcomes are likely under questions 1 and 2, will be more likely to get a favourable response.