Open AccessThe IFI and EU Peace II Fund: Respondents’ Perceptions of Funded Project Success in Promoting Peacebuilding and Community Development in Northern Ireland
Author(s) -
Seán Byrne,
Chuck Thiessen,
Eyob Fissuh,
Cynthia Irvin
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
peace and conflict studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.116
H-Index - 6
ISSN - 1082-7307
DOI - 10.46743/1082-7307/2009.1102
Subject(s) - peacebuilding , political science , context (archaeology) , community development , agency (philosophy) , public administration , economic growth , civil servants , funding agency , northern ireland , european union , public relations , sociology , geography , politics , social science , law , business , ethnology , economics , archaeology , economic policy
This article examines the views of ninety-eight study participants on community development and peacebuilding supported by the European Union (EU) Peace II Fund and the International Fund for Ireland (IFI). We elaborate the perceptions of community group leaders, funding agency civil servants and development officers regarding the role of both funds in Northern Ireland. Their experiences of the EU Peace II Fund and the IFI are discussed in the wider context of peacebuilding and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties. Furthermore, this article explores the importance of community development and cross-community contact through joint economic and social development projects.