The Orange Order has received a grant of almost £900,000 from the European Union to help address the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Communities at sectarian interfaces and in Border areas which suffered disproportionately during the Troubles will benefit, the organisation said.
Stepping Towards Reconciliation in Positive Engagement (Stripe) will be based in Lurgan, Co Armagh.
Drew Nelson, chairman of the Orange Community Network, said: “The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland believes there is an imbalance of weak community infrastructure, low confidence and low levels of participation within the Protestant community, particularly in interface and Border areas in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Grand Lodge also believes the Protestant community in interface and Border areas . . . suffered disproportionately during the Troubles.” The £884,022 (€1,073,000) was received from the Special EU Programmes Body. Dr Jonathan Mattison, project manager, is one of seven staff financed until December 2014.