Caption for picture attached:
Foroige Area Manager Colin McAree with Amplify young person Lesh and Bassel (far right) and staff member, Nikita McHugh at the recent Amplify Youth Project Launch. Or a more snappy caption "Amplify launch"
PRESS RELEASE 13/07/2018
Young People Taking Action for Peace
AMPLIFY, a project that received €4.7m in funding through the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme and which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, was launched at Cloughrea Community Centre, Newry.
AMPLIFY is working to inspire 960 young people, aged 16-24 years, from diverse backgrounds, to build good relations and take action for peace.
AMPLIFY is a youth work partnership between five organisations from Northern Ireland and Ireland including YouthAction Northern Ireland, Foróige, Northern Ireland Youth Forum, Patrician Youth Centre and Youth Work Ireland.
Speaking at the launch Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body said:
‘This project will help to fulfil one of the core objectives of the EU’s PEACE IV Programme as it will provide children and young people from all communities with the tools they need to build their confidence and understanding of each other’s cultures and views. By engaging with almost 1,000 marginalised young people, on both sides of the border, it will also help to build a more inclusive and outward looking society now and in the future.”
Also commenting at the launch, June Trimble, Chief Executive YouthAction NI welcomed the opportunity to be leading a youth work partnership representing five organisations from Northern Ireland and Ireland. ‘We welcome the very valuable contribution to peace building from EU’s PEACE IV Programme and are delighted to be working with Foróige, Northern Ireland Youth Forum, Patrician Youth Centre and Youth Work Ireland to engage and inspire young people to build peace within and across borders and communities.’
One of the young people speaking at the launch, Curtis Watson from AMPLIFY Antrim, highlighted the benefits of participating in the programme;
‘‘I learned so much through the whole AMPLIFY programme and not just about what was going on in my own community. It helps you to become more confident, self-aware and independent, to allow you to work as part of a team with young people from different backgrounds. It has helped me to understand the path I want to take in the future. AMPLIFY has been a great experience and one I will always remember.’
Colin McAree, Area Manager Foróige, Ireland commented, ‘We are delighted to be working with the AMPLIFY partnership. This is a very exciting opportunity for young people to meet, build friendships and work together for peace across all our communities on both sides of the border. Young people, when given the chance, can plan, make decisions for themselves and make exciting things happen!’
Match-funding has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in Ireland.
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Information for Editor
- AMPLIFY has been funded by the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to the value of €4.7m.
- The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland. It is responsible for managing two EU Structural Funds Programmes, PEACE IV and INTERREG VA which are designed to enhance cross - border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. The Programmes operate within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and in the case of INTERREG VA, Western Scotland.
- The PEACE IV Programme has a value of €270 million and aims to promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland.
For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu
- YouthAction Northern Ireland is a regional youth charity, with over a 70 year history of making a significant difference to the lives of young people by tackling inequalities and disadvantage throughout Northern Ireland. YouthAction is committed to building good relations and contributing to flourishing communities in a peaceful shared society.
- Foróige is the leading youth organisation in Ireland and has been working with young people since 1952. Their purpose is to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their development and in the development of society.
- The Northern Ireland Youth Forum is youth led, run by young people for young people. They were established in 1979 by the Department of Education to represent the views of young people to government and other decision makers.
- Patrician Youth Centre
Patrician Youth Centre was established in 1981. They are located in Downpatrick in the Down District Council area. Their membership is drawn across Downpatrick town and surrounding rural areas.. Patrician work with young people from 4 – 25 years delivering a wide range of youth work programmes to support their personal and social development.
- Youth Work Ireland is the largest youth organisation in Ireland. They are made up of 21 Local Member Youth Services and a national office. They support members to deliver youth work to young people in their communities. This means that young people around Ireland can avail of a whole range of services and supports if and when they need them.
For further information contact:
Caroline Redpath on 02890240551
www.youthaction.org | www.facebook.co.uk/YouthActionNI | @YouthActionNI
