Economic Development \ Economic activity and assistance \ International Fund for Ireland (IFI)

The International Fund for Ireland (IFI) came into existence in December 1986, following the signing of an Agreement between the British and Irish Governments. The major contributors to the Fund are the United Stares, Canada, European Community and New Zealand. The objective of the Fund is to promote economic and social advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists throughout Ireland. The IFI pursues these objectives by:

• stimulating private investment and enterprise;
• supplementing public programmes; and
• supporting voluntary effort, including self-help schemes

Since its inception the IFI has contributed £20m approximately to over 250 projects in the Newry and Mourne area. This has stimulated further investment of over £35m from statutory agencies and the private sector, towards total project costs of over £50m, and, in the process, has helped to create or sustain over 2,000 jobs.

The local IFI Co-ordinator is Mr Joe McNulty (Tel: 028 30266593).