End to grants to affect Limavady

In a move which is undoubtedly going to have an impact in Limavady, Londonderry and indeed throughout Ireland, the reclusive billionaire has made the decision to cease his charitable project.

Atlantic Philanthropies has put money into numerous projects in Limavady such as the Roe Valley Learning Partnership (a co-operative scheme between local schools to increase educational integration), and the impact of Mr Feeney’s money has been felt strongly in the local area.

It is unlikely, for instance, that the free one day training on ‘Intergenerational Practice’ (aimed at helping people set up projects involving both elderly and young people) scheduled for the end of August in the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre would have been able to go ahead without funding from Atlantic Philanthropies.

While the fact that Mr Feeney’s organisation will cease making grants by the end of 2016 will cause some apprehension locally for those involved in third-level education and research, working with the elderly, children and youth, as well as reconciliation and human rights – his foundation has focussed development and sustainability.

It is unlikely, for instance, that the co-operative work being carried out by secondary, grammar and special educational needs schools in Limavady will simply come to an end because a portion of their funding has come from an philanthropic organisation who will cease making grants in 2016.

Since his foundation started in 1982, recipients of the approximate £1 billion spent on projects on both sides of the Border have been expected to plan for a future without funding from The Atlantic Philanthropies.

In Northern Ireland, the focus of Atlantic Philanthropies has been on three main areas; ageing, children and youth, and reconciliation and human rights.

The organisation say that their work on ageing seeks “ to improve the care and well-being of people living with dementia and will support a small number of key organisations that have proven achievements, solid management and strong potential to advocate for older people’s rights after we end our grantmaking.”

In terms of children and young people, the organisation say their funding is aimed towards ensuring “that children and young people have good life outcomes, Atlantic supports grantees that are transforming services for children and young people by providing and promoting prevention and early intervention programmes.”

The other key area Chuck Feeney’s organisation is noted for in Northern Ireland is Reconciliation and Human Rights, and Atlantic Philanthropies state: “We seek to promote shared education between Protestant and Catholic schools and will support a small number of key organisations that have proven achievements, solid management and strong potential to promote and protect rights after we end our grantmaking.”

Atlantic Philanthropies has recently granted funding to ‘Linking Generations Northern Ireland’, who are putting the money to good effect with a pair of free training days on “intergenerational practice” in Limavady.

The days, which will be held on August 29 and September 12 at the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, are aimed for “anyone interested in learning about the general process of setting up an intergenerational project from recruitment stage through to evaluation.”