Guidelines/Application Form for the Anti-Sectarianism Fund

The purpose of the Anti-Sectarianism Fund is to assist local efforts aimed at tackling sectarianism, supporting projects in communities seeking new and more effective ways of addressing sectarianism and division in society.  It is intended that a sum of €1 million will be available to assist suitable projects during 2008.

Grants will be given to individuals or organisations looking to develop new projects that will challenge intolerance and sectarianism and will break down barriers between people caused by religious and cultural differences.  Assistance may be used for a specific project or as a contribution towards extending an existing programme.

Applications will be judged on potential concrete outcomes, and will be considered under the following criteria:-

• Promotion of anti-sectarianism through education; dialogue and culture;
• Promotion of tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity;
• Extending knowledge and understanding of others’ cultures, beliefs, traditions;
• Reducing religious, social and cultural barriers;
• Challenging stereotypes of one’s own and other communities/identities;
• Raising awareness of how language and actions contribute towards sectarianism and intolerance;
• Bringing people from different backgrounds together to work towards a common goal.

Applications should be addressed to:
Anti-Sectarianism Fund
Anglo-Irish Division
Department of Foreign Affairs
Iveagh House
78-80 St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2

An application form may be downloaded here. (PDF 109kb)

DECISIONS

Decisions are made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on foot of recommendations made by an Interdepartmental Advisory Committee which is drawn from a number of Government Departments.  Decisions are reached on the basis of the eligibility criteria outlined above, the level of funding available each year and the number and quality of applications submitted.  The Fund aims to ensure that the distribution of funds is as widespread and equitable as possible, based on the merit of individual proposals. The Minister’s decision is final.

REPORTING

An organisation which has received assistance from the Anti-Sectarianism Fund must send a report and Financial Statement describing how the money has been spent, to the Department of Foreign Affairs, not later than 31 December of the year in question. Where the amount exceeds €12,500 these should be accompanied by a copy of its Annual Audited Accounts.

As of 1 January 2007, recipients of assistance totalling €10,000 or more in a 12 month period must possess a valid Tax Clearance Certificate before a grant can be issued. An original copy of the Tax Clearance Certificate, which must be issued by the Irish Revenue Commissioners, should be forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs upon application to the Fund.

Further details and application forms for groups resident in the State (Form TC1) can be found online at www.revenue.ie. Groups resident in Northern Ireland and in Great Britain should contact the following email address: nonrestaxclearance@revenue.ie or fax number: 00 353 61 401012.

Please note that the TC1 form is an application form only which should be forwarded directly to the Irish Revenue Commissioners, and not to the Anti-Sectarianism Fund.

Details of Projects funded in 2009 are available here (Word 212kb)