# Euro increase will boost funds

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/04/euro-increase-will-boost-funds/
- Published: 2008-12-04T09:30:19+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs reconciliation and anti-sectarian funds 
will get more ‘bang for their buck’ in relation to Northern Ireland due to the strength
of the euro against sterling, according to DFA officials.

With the euro increasing in value against sterling between 15-20% in the last eighteen
months the €2.5 million funds will go further and help to offset the standstill 
budget for this year. The new faces administering the fund are Michael Smith and
David Costello.

The Reconciliation Fund is operated by the DFA to assist individuals and organisations
involved in reconciliation work.

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The Reconciliation Fund was established under the Department’s North-South and Anglo-
Irish budget in 1982. The Fund’s objectives are to assist individuals and organisations
involved in reconciliation work and to encourage and facilitate better relations
within and between the traditions in the North, between North and South, and between
Ireland and Britain.

The budget of the Reconciliation Fund was increased eight-fold in 1999 to £2m. Since
then, the Reconciliation Fund has awarded grants exceeding €23 million to some 650
organisations involved in cross community and cross border reconciliation and outreach
projects. Earlier this year the DFA also announced the establishment of an anti-
sectarian fund which has a particular focus on conflict at interface areas.

www.embassyofireland.co.uk

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## Comments

### By: bruceclark

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/04/euro-increase-will-boost-funds/#comment-3429
- Published: 2008-12-17T11:05:28+00:00

Perhaps one “particular focus on conflict at interface areas” could look at all 
those Southern shoppers fighting for parking spaces and trolleys in Newry as the
euro roles inexorably towards parity with Sterling!

Bruce Clark

### By: paulartherton

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/04/euro-increase-will-boost-funds/#comment-3430
- Published: 2009-01-02T10:54:14+00:00

Bruce, don’t give the government any ideas!