The Intercultural Cross-border Inclusion Programme (ICIP) is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Funding of €2,925,134.56 was allocated following a joint application by five partners – North West Migrants Forum, Rural Community Network, Multi-Ethnic Sports and Cultures NI (MSCNI), Irish Network Against Racism and Donegal Intercultural Platform clg. The Committee on the Administration of Justice and Social Change Initiative will act as associate partners during the project’s three-year lifespan.

Through an innovative programme of workshops, training sessions, community activities and cultural celebrations, the Intercultural Cross-border Inclusion Programme aims to identify and challenge the structures of racism by educating young people and adults on its causes and consequences.

The programme will also upskill people with lived experience of racism and hate and will work specifically with community leaders, policy makers, teachers and school pupils to address the misunderstandings and prejudices causing division within our society and communities.

The five partner organisations decided to submit an application to the PEACEPLUS programme following the publication of figures that revealed how 55 per cent of people of African descent in Ireland have reported experiencing racial discrimination. The fear of being a victim of a racist attack is almost twice as high (64%) as that amongst Black people in other EU states (35%).

The ICI Programme was developed by drawing on existing learning from organisations working to combat racism, prejudice and hate throughout communities and society on both sides of the border.