About The Fund
Areas Of Activity
Media Centre
Publications
FAQ's
Contact Us
Removing Barriers to Rural Development Project, Co. Donegal and Co. Tyrone
Many rural community groups, simply because of their size or lack of experience in securing funding are not in a position to take full advantage of the programmes and grants available to them. This in turn reduces their capacity to interact with other groups on both sides of the border, thus making sustainable progress and meaningful reconciliation difficult.
The International Fund supported the cross-border, cross-sectoral Tyrone Donegal Partnership in developing a project known as “Removing Barriers to Rural Development”, which is designed to provide small, disadvantaged and isolated groups in Donegal and Tyrone with the support needed to implement cross-border projects that will contribute to enhancing the economic, social and environmental conditions in their areas. In operation since June 2005, the assistance available through the Removing Barriers Project includes cross-border information and advice, capacity building programmes, mentoring services to help develop community group initiatives, and a small grants programme.
All four elements of the programme have been well received - over 300 groups have sought information on the programme and almost 70 development plans have been assisted under Action 2 Mentoring. In total, 37 projects have been funded through the small grants programme. These cross-border initiatives vary in type and in nature but fall under 4 main criteria of natural resources, rural tourism/crafts ,cross border arts and culture and the stimulation of rural enterprise on a cross-border basis.
Feedback on the project and the assistance that it has provided has been very positive;
Michael Gallagher from Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band said that: "The project has been an absolute dream. We have got so much out of it, especially in terms of the relationship which has been developed between ourselves and the Roughan Band in Ballygawley. When they came to play in Rossnowlagh we knew some of them were apprehensive as some of them had not been across the border before for many years, but the recepion they got from local people was tremendous. We were equally well received when we went to play in Aughnacloy. Without the funding this relationship would not have been initiated and we certainly hope to keep the relationship going in the future."
Kenny McFarland from Villages Together, Ballymagroarty stated :
"It was absolutely uncanny how myself and Mary in St Johnstons "clicked" when we met to discuss how we would move the project forward. We found that although our communities are separated by a mile of water and many miles of road we had so much in common and it is clear that the funding will allow us to strengthen the relationship very much. We have held one event so far which was excellent and we are really looking forward to the next one."
The overall cost of the project is €911,500 / £624,315 with the International Fund contributing €227,875 / £156,078. The balance of the funding came from the INTERREG IIIA programme, and the Partnership’s own resources.
For further information on the Removing Barriers project, visit www.removingbarriers.net.
back to top
The Lough Foyle Car Ferry Project
The Lough Foyle cross border ferry service came into service on June 14 2002 providing a year round, roll on/roll off ferry service between Magilligan and Greencastle.
The development of the ferry service provided direct access to two areas where no previous link existed and is a prime example of a cross-border initiative producing something from which the entire region will benefit.
The ferry has opened up the region’s tourism potential, transformed the area’s transportation infrastructure and significantly enhanced economic progress in this part of the north of Ireland.
Funding for the £4.2m project was provided by the European Union Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (£2m), the International Fund for Ireland (£1m) and the Irish Government (£0.7m) along with contributions from Limavady and Donegal County Councils (£0.5m).
view accessibility guide
home | about the fund | areas of activity | media centre | publications
news | funding in your area| podcasts | contact us | ezine signup
accessibility | FAQ's | sitemap
© 2007 International Fund for Ireland