ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applications for assistance are considered under the following criteria:

• Reconciliation through education; dialogue and culture;
• Development and maintenance of meaningful cross-border links;
• Promotion of improved Anglo-Irish relations;
• Promotion of cross-community and inter-denominational activities;
• Promotion of tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity;
• Academic research aimed at promoting reconciliation;
• Contribution to political reconciliation.

2013 FUNDING

There will be two funding rounds for the Reconciliation Fund in 2013, with deadlines as follows:

Round 1:  Complete applications must be received by close of business on Friday 1st March 2013.
Round 2:  Complete applications must be received by close of business on Friday 27th September 2013.

HOW TO APPLY

Assistance is provided on a once-off basis, however, organisations may apply for and receive assistance each year. It may be used for a specific project or as a contribution towards general running costs. Funding is generally not available for capital costs, salaries, events/activities that have already taken place, or travel off the island.

The  application form (Word 188kb)  should be completed fully, and returned by email to reconciliation@dfa.ie . A signed hard copy of the application and relevant accompanying documents should also be sent to the following address:

Reconciliation/Anti-Sectarianism Fund
Anglo-Irish Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
80 St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2

Please note that applications will only be accepted on the current application form (Word 188kb) . Applications must be accompanied by the following documentation:

• A valid tax clearance certificate issued by the Irish Revenue Commissioners, if the amount requested is €10,000 or more - see below for details;
• All outstanding reports and/or organisational accounts due for previous grants received - see below for details; 
• Letters of support from any partner organisations to the proposed project;
• A fully completed  bank details form (Word 48kb). 

Applications will not be processed until a complete application form with all relevant attachments is received.

DECISIONS

Decisions are made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. Other factors taken into account are 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 Reconciliation Fund must send a report and Financial Statement describing how the money has been spent to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade not later than one year after the grant is awarded.

The standard  reporting format (Word 161kb) must be used when submitting reports.

The organisation’s annual accounts should be submitted with the report. Where the grant amount exceeded €12,500 these accounts should be externally audited.

The audited financial statements or accounts submitted by the organisation must show the grant as a separate entry, labelled as “Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Reconciliation Fund”.

Please note that the standard  reporting format (Word 161kb)  must be used for all outstanding reports.

TAX CLEARANCE

Applicants for assistance totalling €10,000 or more in a 12-month period must submit a valid Tax Clearance Certificate with their application. 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 and Trade upon application to the Fund.

Most groups resident in the State may apply online for a tax clearance certificate. Groups resident in Northern Ireland and in Great Britain should complete Form TC1 and send it to the Irish Revenue Commissioners at nonrestaxclearance@revenue.ie or fax number: 00 353 61 401012. Detailed information is available online at www.revenue.ie.

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 Department of Foreign Affairs.