€77m PEACEPLUS funding awarded to transform six cross-community facilities for thousands of people
04/11/2024
Shared Agenda for Peace Project Launched in Kilkeel
Thursday, 26 September 2024
Shared Agenda for Peace Launch
The launch of the PEACEPLUS-supported Shared Agenda for Peace project took place in Kilkeel on Wednesday 18 September.
The project will support 240 local youth groups, 432 volunteers and workers, and 5,280 young people aged 11 to 25 years.
It is aimed at encouraging and facilitating those from diverse community backgrounds to co-operate and collaborate in non-formal shared education programming that supports new and sustainable relationships while building cross-community, cross-border good relations.
Shared Agenda for Peace is a youth work partnership between seven organisations from Northern Ireland and Ireland, including lead partner YouthAction Northern Ireland, Bytes Project, Corrymeela Community, Fighting Words NI, Youth Link, Youth Work Ireland, and YMCA Ireland.
It also includes four associate partners - Community Dialogue, Integrated Education Fund, Youth Bank International and Peace Players.
The project reflects PEACEPLUS’ Theme 3 Empowering and Investing in Our Young People, and specifically, Area 3.1 Shared Learning Together Education Programme, (Informal Education).
The PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), is supporting the project to the value of €3.3m.
The project was officially launched at YouthAction Northern Ireland’s Kilkeel facility.
Northern Ireland Department of Education Minster Paul Givan MLA said: “I am delighted about the launch of the Shared Agenda for Peace project and wish Youth Action Northern Ireland and their partners every success with this important work. As a result of this investment the opportunities to extend Shared Education experiences through youth work will receive a significant boost. I am confident that this project will impact positively on many young people, youth leaders and local youth groups, promoting good relations across many communities.”
Ireland Department of Education Minister Norma Foley TD: “I am delighted to welcome the launch of this very positive cross-border initiative ‘A Shared Agenda for Peace’ which will support over 5,000 young people from diverse communities and backgrounds on both sides of the border.
"Through the shared learning programme, these young people will be supported in developing positive and meaningful relationships with each other as well as skills in cultural awareness. There will also be opportunities for youth-led social action, which will empower the young people to be key players in contributing to a peaceful and cohesive society.
"The successful development and launch of ‘A Shared Agenda for Peace’ is testament to the strong collaboration between YouthAction Northern Ireland and their partner organisations and I commend them and the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) on their work to date.
"I wish the young people every success in working and learning together on this project.”
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “Shared learning is a fundamental principal of an equal and integrated society and therefore a core component of PEACEPLUS.
“€13.3m has been made available to support shared learning activities in both the formal and non-formal education settings.
“The Shared Agenda for Peace project is set to assist thousands of young people from diverse backgrounds to learn and grow together, benefitting from tailored solutions to ensure they reach their full potential and capitalise on better opportunities.”
