Millions in funding for vulnerable communities
"We have seen the threat of paramilitary recruitment and antisocial behaviour persist in many communities"
Over a million pounds in funding has been awarded to community groups across Derry to "divert young people away from the threat of paramilitary recruitment."
The International Fund for Ireland is granting the money to eight charity and community organisation projects across the North West.
Across the North West, the groups to receive funding are HURT, Maghera Cross-Community Link, Roe Valley Residents' Association, Catalyst, AGD Gwedore and Waterside Theatre Project, Rathmullan The Way Forward CLG and Enterprise Causeway Limited, and Northwest Cultural Partnership.
In total, £4.3 million of funding is set to be granted to communities across Northern Ireland
The support for the projects will help to deliver conflict transformation initiatives, employment and training opportunities and work in "hard-to-reach areas struggling with paramilitary and coercive control".
IFI chair Paddy Harte said: "Unfortunately, we have seen the threat of paramilitary recruitment and antisocial behaviour persist in many communities.
"In the last year, the IFI’s programmes have included specialised interventions to divert young people away from the threat of paramilitary recruitment.
"In 2022, 23,033 participants took part in accredited training, education, and capacity building programmes, delivered by IFI funded projects.
"Projects funded across our four core programmes have been working hard to support local communities who are struggling.
"The cost-of-living crisis has put a significant financial burden on people, add to that a general lack of investment in some communities and ongoing tensions relating to the recent Windsor Framework and ongoing political instability, and you can see why this support is so vital."
Mr Harte continued: "This latest round of funding further demonstrates the wide range of support offered by IFI funded projects, tailored to specific needs of a particular community.
"From engaging at-risk young people, to delivering conflict transformation initiatives, delivering important employment, and training opportunities to working in hard-to-reach areas struggling with paramilitary and coercive control."
The IFI was set up by the British and Irish governments in 1986 to deliver a range of peace and reconciliation initiatives.
They currently supports a total of 47 projects in Northern Ireland.