£100k for sport-based initiative

A sports initiative to support disadvantaged young people in Carrickfergus Borough has received a financial boost.

The International Fund for Ireland has announced £1.3m assistance for a range of new projects aimed at addressing contentious issues and community tensions in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.

It includes £105,744 to Sport Changes Life to run a 12-month programme that delivers positive sport-based interventions for disadvantaged and at risk young people in Carrickfergus and Greenisland.

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The group will partner with the University of Ulster, community groups, council and PSNI to offer accredited training to 70 young people and 10 community leaders at the university with mentoring and support around employment and education as well as personal development.

The projects are supported through the Fund’s Peace Impact Programme which was launched last year as part of the organisation’s Community Transformation Strategy. In 18 months, the programme has assisted communities with limited peace building experience to establish effective ways to reduce local tensions and support young people who could be drawn towards unlawful activity.

Dr Adrian Johnston, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, commented: “We are proud to partner with 17 groups in this latest round of funding.

“Many are making the first efforts to engage with marginalised individuals – particularly young people – and groups who remain disconnected from government interventions.”

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