Laying the Groundwork
In 1981, The Ireland Funds supported the creation of the first integrated school at Lagan College in Belfast. That commitment has grown over time, grounded in the belief that building peace takes sustained effort.
A partnership focused on fostering peace:
- Grants have helped expand integrated education in Northern Ireland
- Support for equipping schools with modern learning environments
- Support for quality education that fosters positive social attitudes
- Today there are more than 70 integrated schools across Northern Ireland
The Ireland Funds has been with the integrated movement since day one. It was involved in the establishment of Lagan College where the first 28 students attended under police protection. It spawned a movement of parents and schools and today we educate over 28,000 children in Northern Ireland. The support of The Ireland Funds has been absolutely pivotal.
– Paul Caskey, Chief Executive, Integrated Education Fund.
