Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, has launched the new Reconciliation Fund Strategy for 2026–2029 during an event in Belfast attended by civil society and cross-community organisations. The Reconciliation Fund provides grants to community groups working to strengthen relationships between traditions in Northern Ireland, promote cooperation between North and South, and foster connections between Ireland and Britain.
The strategy highlights the vital role played by community organisations in supporting peacebuilding, particularly during the years of conflict known as the Troubles. These groups helped build connections across divided communities and continue to play a key role in sustaining peace and reconciliation. The new strategy places strong emphasis on supporting such grassroots initiatives that promote dialogue, understanding, and cooperation.
As part of the strategy, the Irish Government has committed to increasing investment in reconciliation initiatives. In 2026, the Reconciliation Fund will distribute €8 million to organisations across the island of Ireland, representing a 15 percent increase from 2025 and more than doubling the fund’s size since 2021. The funding will support a wide range of community, voluntary, and educational projects aimed at strengthening peace and social cohesion.
The initiative also recognises the important contributions of women to peacebuilding efforts. The strategy highlights the need to amplify the voices and leadership of women who are working to promote positive change and strengthen community relationships across the region.
Since its establishment in 1982, the Reconciliation Fund has awarded more than €68 million to over 3,200 projects led by civil society organisations, primarily in Northern Ireland. In 2025 alone, more than 200 projects received support, with many initiatives implemented in areas such as Belfast, Derry, and Strabane.
The priorities outlined in the new strategy were shaped through an extensive consultation process carried out during 2025, including public submissions and in-person consultations with community stakeholders in Belfast and Derry. The next funding round under the Reconciliation Fund is scheduled to open on 18 March, continuing efforts to support initiatives that promote peace, reconciliation, and stronger community relations across the island.
