Tánaiste Launches Public Consultation for new Reconciliation Fund Strategy

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris TD, has launched a public consultation to help inform the development of a new Strategy for the Reconciliation Fund, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Tánaiste said: “I’m delighted to invite the public to help inform the new Reconciliation Fund strategy.

“With its focus on Northern Ireland, the Fund is an important part of the Government’s approach to working with all communities and political traditions.

“It is vital that the work of the Fund in coming years is informed by relevant stakeholders and that is why I am launching this consultation today.”

The consultation opened for submissions on 04 July 2025 and will close on 01 August 2025. The core aim of the Reconciliation Fund is to support a wide range of organisations working to build better relations within and between traditions in Northern Ireland.

The Tánaiste added: “This consultation gives people and organisations a chance to contribute to and shape this work of fundamental importance to our island as a whole, and to make a difference in building peace and reconciliation between and across communities.

“I want to gather the widest possible range of views, so that we can be responsive to realities on the ground, and ready for the years ahead.”

Please see here for more information on how you can make a submission to the public consultation: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-foreign-affairs/consultations/public-consultation-on-development-of-new-reconciliation-fund-strategy

ENDS

Press Office

06 July 2025

Notes to editors:

The Reconciliation Fund plays a significant role in supporting the Government’s approach in support of deeper co-operation and connection on the island. The Fund awards grants to organisations working to build better relations within and between traditions in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain.

Since its establishment, the Fund has awarded more than €65 million to over 3,000 projects, to civil society organisations primarily based in Northern Ireland making a real difference to building and securing peace and reconciliation on this island.

The 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 current Reconciliation Fund strategy (2021-2024) was extended to 2025. The overall budget for the Reconciliation Fund in 2025 is €7.045m and the Programme for Government has committed to an increase over its lifetime. The Government increased the Fund’s budget in recent years, to €7.045m in 2024, up from €2.7m in 2018.

On 01 July 2025, the Tánaiste announced funding of over €4 million for 177 projects following the 2025 annual round of the Reconciliation Fund. Supported projects will be delivered over a wide geographic area, predominantly in Northern Ireland. Projects delivered within the Belfast City Council area represent the largest regional category (86 projects), followed by Derry City & Strabane Council area (26 projects).