PACT Programme
Promoting A Culture of Trust
The IEF’s Promoting A Culture of Trust (PACT) Grant Making Programme is open to all schools in Northern Ireland for projects that promote a culture of trust and the development of paths of reconciliation through education.
The aim of the programme is to fund projects in schools to promote the development of skills, structures and relationships that enable schools, pupils and their parents, staff and governors and the wider community to increase their understanding, acceptance and respect for political, cultural and religious differences. In the context of Northern Ireland, and the divisions in our society experienced for generations, the ‘differences’ referred to are those between the Catholic and Protestant denominations.
The PACT programme was first launched in the year 2000 and the IEF is delighted to have been able to support projects in schools of differing levels and management types across Northern Ireland which have delivered and surpassed the stated aim of the programme. Over the past twelve years, through PACT 1 – 12, £930,320 has been awarded in grants for 211 projects in 485 schools, directly involving and benefiting over 13,000 children and young people.
Projects that grants are awarded for
PACT projects must explore the differences between the Catholic and Protestant denominations but may also explore other divisions experienced in Northern Ireland. For example some previous projects have tackled issues of division by looking at the diversity of religions, languages, and ethnicities represented in Northern Ireland today.
PACT projects can be linked to the curriculum areas of ‘Personal Development and Mutual Understanding’ at Foundation Level and Key Stages 1 and 2, and ‘Local and Global Citizenship’ at Key Stages 3 and 4. Project mediums such as sport, music, art, history and drama etc can provide opportunities to involve greater ranges and/or numbers of participants as well as adding more depth and meaning to the project for participants.
To find out more about previous PACT projects click here.
Who may apply
PACT is open to all schools in Northern Ireland for projects based in Northern Ireland and involving a partnership of two or more schools as follows:
- PACT is open to schools of all levels; i.e. Primary and Post Primary Schools/Colleges; Early Years Education Providers including Voluntary Playgroups with Charitable Status and Nursery Schools/Nursery Units which are Government funded. The lead school and its only or first partner must be of the same educational level; i.e. both must be Primary Schools or both must be Colleges, etc. For projects involving more than two schools the educational level of additional partner schools is not restricted.
- PACT is open to schools of all management types; i.e. Controlled, Maintained, Controlled Integrated and Grant Maintained Integrated, Irish Medium, etc. The lead school and its only or first partner together must represent at least two of the main traditions in Northern Ireland. For example, applications would be welcome for partnerships such as a controlled school and a maintained school working together or an integrated school working with another integrated school, a controlled school or a maintained school, etc.
- The IEF actively encourages applications from schools that are closely located and may prioritise these should the Fund be oversubscribed.
How to apply
The PACT Spring 2013 programme opens for applications on Monday 28 January 2013 and closes on Monday 04 March 2013. All eligible applications for Level I and Level 2 projects will be considered for funding on Wednesday 15 May 2013 and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application as soon as possible after this date.
For additional information or to discuss your project or application in more detail please do not hesitate to contact:
Sara Shields
Grants Officer
Integrated Education Fund
41 – 43 University Street
Belfast
BT7 1FY
Telephone: (028) 9033 0031
Fax: (028) 9033 0061
Email: sara@ief.org.uk
