Under the new ‘Crossing the Threshold’ strategy, organisations can now apply twice a year for financial support ranging from £30,000 to £150,000/€35,000 to €170,000. The strategy encourages innovation and will provide direct support towards the areas of greatest need and where there are emerging opportunities for peace and reconciliation work.

The IFI is moving away from traditional programmes and transitioning to a flexible, needs and ideas-based model. This approach allows the organisation to be more responsive to the needs and imaginative propositions within local communities. It is hoped the funding will deliver creative, alternative avenues for peacebuilding, foster new partnerships, and continue to support the trust and goodwill built over the last 40 years.

Funding will be aligned with four key strategic pillars designed to empower communities, giving them the confidence, skills, and opportunities to actively create a shared future. These pillars include Regeneration, Creativity, Sharing, and Empowerment. To be eligible for support, organisations must align with one or more of these pillars.

The IFI is particularly keen to support initiatives that challenge division and contribute to economic and social advancement in areas experiencing disadvantage or the legacy impacts of conflict. Creative and innovative approaches to peacebuilding through sports, arts, and culture are also highly encouraged, alongside applications from groups that might not traditionally consider themselves as peacebuilders.

Shona McCarthy, IFI Chair, said: “This is an important milestone for the IFI as we mark 40 years of peacebuilding and seek an imaginative leap in the collective effort for peace in our final decade. It is a new direction for the organisation, and one that we believe communities will benefit from as we open our support to new thinking and those who may not have considered themselves as peacebuilders.

“Society and communities have changed considerably since the Good Friday Agreement, and so too must our approach. We want to tackle the challenges that marginalised communities and individuals face in a fresh and innovative way over the next five years. Peace and reconciliation work remains critical, and the IFI is committed to providing support where it is needed most through flexible, responsive and purposeful funding.”

Applications will be managed through an Open Call process designed to ensure structure, transparency, and a broadened participation across diverse sectors. For future funding calls, the IFI Board may publish specific priority themes. This will clearly signal the types of projects that will be given preference, based on current strategic goals and emerging community needs.

To apply for IFI Funding, please visit https://www.internationalfundforireland.com/funding