Northern Ireland

Calls for boundary-breaking Network for Youth Project to continue

Network for Youth - Youth Fest included workshops, networking opportunities and a training session for youth work practitioners
Network for Youth - Youth Fest included workshops, networking opportunities and a training session for youth work practitioners Network for Youth - Youth Fest included workshops, networking opportunities and a training session for youth work practitioners

THE organisers of a Northern Ireland-wide project which brought together hundreds of young people from different backgrounds are hoping to see it continue.

Network for Youth, a six month pilot project involving the north's main youth organisations, ended on March 31 but those behind it want to continue its work.

The project brought together young people from different communities of interest, to create opportunities to bring about change.

It was led by the Northern Ireland Youth Forum (NIYF), in partnership with Youth Action NI, Fóram na nÓg, Include Youth, Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster and the Education Authority.

Its purpose was to strengthen participation at all levels of the youth service and encourage young people to discuss issues of interest, connect pockets of good practice and build on existing relationships.

The final event, the Network for Youth - Youth Fest took place at Farset International Youth Hostel in west Belfast. It included workshops, networking opportunities and a training session for youth work practitioners run by Ulster University.

NIYF director Chris Quinn said there was now a movement of highly motivated young people, which would continue to grow.

"Young people's expectations are high and we hope that this project can continue beyond the pilot as the impact it has had in such a short period of time has been huge," he said.

"We want to embed a culture of participation across the board - it should be part of the fabric of society and all young people should be listened to and their views acted upon. It was great to see such a diversity of young people engaging in such an amazing event - the feedback has been phenomenal. Young people have learnt about other projects; have connected across all sorts of boundaries and lots of new friendships have been made."

Natalie Corbett, NIYF participation development worker, said Network for Youth had been a great success.

"Network for Youth has allowed young people to come together from different youth groups and participatory structures throughout the last six months. It has provided an opportunity for young people to engage in conversation about issues that affect them and their community and showcase models of good participatory practice," she said.

Victoria Minford from the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster said Network for Youth helped her meet other young people from different communities.

"It has allowed me to represent young people from a rural background. I have really enjoyed being part of the Network for Youth steering group, and taking a lead role in the delivery of the pilot," she said.