Minister McEntee launches new Reconciliation Fund Strategy

Minister McEntee launches new Reconciliation Fund Strategy

• From: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Published on: 9 March 2026
• Last updated on: 9 March 2026

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, today launched the new Strategy for the Reconciliation Fund (2026-29) in Belfast.

The Reconciliation Fund awards grants to community organisations working to build better relations within and between traditions in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain.

Launching the strategy at an event attended by a wide range of cross-community civil society groups, Minister McEntee said: "During the most difficult days of the Troubles, non-governmental organisations drawn from all sides, and none, worked tirelessly to build connections across communities.

"They provided leadership from the bottom up, played a critical role in making peace possible and continue to be critical in sustaining it. Supporting this work is at the centre of our new Reconciliation Fund Strategy.

"Repairing the hurt of the past, whether the legacy of the violence of the Troubles or the deep divisions that stretch back much further, requires time, dedication and trust. It also requires continued investment.

"The Irish Government is committed to maintaining and increasing that investment. In 2026, the Reconciliation Fund will disburse €8 million to organisations across this island. This is a 15% increase on 2025 and a doubling of funds since 2021."

Minister McEntee also noted the importance of recognising women's contributions to peacebuilding: "In this week of International Women's Day, I am proud that the Reconciliation Fund explicitly recognises the critical and ongoing role of women in peacebuilding. Women's roles haven't always received due recognition and respect.

"Amplifying and learning from the voices of women today, who are leading positive change in their communities, will always be a priority for the Irish Government and for me personally".

ENDS

Press Office

9 March 2026

Notes to editors:

The Programme for Government has committed to an increase in the Fund budget over its lifetime.

This year, it will be €8 million, up from €7 million in 2025.

The size of the Reconciliation Fund has more than doubled since 2020, when it was €3.7m.

Since its establishment in 1982, the Reconciliation Fund has awarded more than €68 million to over 3,200 projects, to civil society organisations, primarily based in Northern Ireland, making a real difference to building and securing peace and reconciliation on this island.

In 2025, the Reconciliation Fund supported over 200 projects. Supported projects are delivered over a wide geographic area, predominantly in Northern Ireland. Projects delivered within the Belfast City Council area represent the largest regional category (88 projects), followed by the Derry City and Strabane Council area (28 projects).

The Reconciliation Fund awards grants to between 120-200 projects each year, supporting initiatives across, but not limited to, the community, voluntary, and higher education sectors.

The revised priorities and framework of the Reconciliation Fund Strategy (2026-29) reflect a wide-ranging consultation process on the new strategy held over summer and autumn 2025.

A public consultation opened for submissions on the development of the new Reconciliation Fund strategy from 4 July 2025 to 1 August 2025, to ensure a diverse range of views and insights were received. In-person consultations took place in Belfast and Derry in September 2025.

The next funding round for the Reconciliation Fund will open on 18 March.

Information on the upcoming Reconciliation Fund outreach workshops can be found on the DFAT website.