Forty-five organisations involved in cross-community activities are to receive £1.372 million in grants from the Department of Foreign Affairs reconciliation fund.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said "the work of nationalist, unionist and cross-community organisations in the North often goes unreported and underappreciated". The largest allocation of £325,000 goes to Co-operation Ireland. Other beneficiaries include Cliftonville Football Club, which will receive £30,000 for its outreach programmes to provide sporting facilities for people of all religious, cultural and political backgrounds.
The Ballyroan and Drumcree parishes friendship group in Dublin has been al located £1,000 for providing breaks in Ballyroad parish for children from Drumcree and Garvaghy Road during the marching season.