Five Derry groups have been given a huge boost towards peace building efforts, receiving over £700,000.
This is part of a wider investment by International Fund for Ireland of almost £4.5million towards peace projects.
The IFI currently supports a total of 40 projects in Northern Ireland and 15 in the southern border counties.
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Funding under the IFI’s new ‘Connecting Communities’ strategy will roll out core programmes that create meaningful collaboration and sustainable peace across the island of Ireland.
The funding package announced this week will benefit 29 community projects across Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.
As part of the Peace Barriers Programme, £196,810 has been designated to Bogside and Brandywell Initiative. The Peace Barriers Programme will continue to deliver long-term sustainable solutions and transformation within interface areas to break down remaining mental and physical barriers.
Within the Peace Impact Programme, £263,861 will go to North West Cultural Partnership. The Peace Impact Programme will continue to engage with marginalised communities across sensitive issues that often require diversionary work.
Setting future generations up with peace-building initiatives in the Personal Youth Development Programme, £90,156 will go to Creggan Enterprises Ltd, £82,804 to HURT, and £85,370 to St Columbs Park Reconciliation Trust.
The Personal Youth Development Programme is truly unique in its approach and delivery with at risk young people. Thanks to this programme more than 3,200 young people have achieved a range of accreditations and 528 are in further education and training.
Welcoming the first funding package from Connecting Communities, IFI Chairman, Paddy Harte said: "The IFI works on a cross community and cross border basis through its targeted programmes, seeking to achieve a more peaceful and shared society.
"Given the complexity of issues that many communities are currently facing on the ground, it is evident that there is a clear need for the independent support delivered by the IFI, especially in many hard to reach areas that are witnessing rising tensions.
"We are one of the few organisations with the required experience to negotiate the difficult and challenging conversations that lie ahead.
"Collaboration between partners and statutory agencies will be key in creating a truly shared future. It is time to break the cycle of instability, suffering and violence and to help prevent further trauma being passed on to future generations."
Mr Harte wanted to thank the international donors to the Fund - the European Union, British and Irish Government as well as the Governments of the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - for their support.
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