The Managing Director of PeacePlayers Northern Ireland has spoken of “an exciting new chapter” for the charity following the launch of a major collaborative project aimed at tackling social issues such as inequality and discrimination among young people.
The ‘United Youth Initiative’ is working with young people aged nine to 18 years of age in youth club settings across Northern Ireland and border counties in Ireland, which co-ordinated by leading youth and education providers including Peace Players NI, Healthy Kidz, Dundalk IT College ‘H2O Heroes’ and Boys and Girls Club NI.
PROSPERITY
The initiative brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to participate in shared learning experiences using sports, good relations and environmental initiatives as tools to contribute towards a more inclusive and cohesive society. The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
The programme, which aims to build peace and prosperity, is deemed to have a total value of Euros 1.14 billion over the next four years. At its launch event in Black Mountain Shared Space in Belfast in March, Minister for Education Helen McEntee TD commented: “The successful development and launch of the programme is testament to the strong collaboration between the project partners and I commend them on the work that has been done to get to this point.”
PeacePlayers NI managing director Gareth Harper explained how the project will support his organisation’s objectives.
He said: “This project builds on our strong after-school programming foundation and introduces a broader, more holistic offering. Incorporating environmental sustainability, multi-sport engagement, including football, Gaelic football and basketball, and good relations and environmental learning, this initiative reflects our belief that sport is more than just a game.”
Gareth says the initiative will provide “shared learning experiences for young people from all backgrounds”, adding: “The goal is to create meaningful connections and opportunities for growth through collaboration and innovation.”
INCLUSIVE
Speaking via the charity’s official Instagram and LinkedIn pages, Gareth explained: “At PeacePlayers NI, we deliver programming for children and young people aged eight to 25. Our work is centred around three core pillars:
“In-School Programming: The backbone of our cross-community efforts, with a focus on ‘changing perceptions’. Our signature ‘school twinnings’ initiative pairs a maintained (predominantly Catholic) school with a controlled (predominantly Protestant) school, providing a fun, inclusive and safe environment for students to learn, grow and foster mutual respect.
“After-School Programming: Over the years, our after-school programme has gone by different names (Cross Community League, Belfast Interface League, Bridging Divides Programme) but the core goal has remained the same: Bridging Divides. We create spaces where young people can have fun, build friendships, and explore their role in shaping a peaceful and united Northern Ireland. We’re proud of how far this programme has come. What began in Belfast now reaches young people in Newcastle, Newry, Ballymena, Carrick, Larne, Monkstown, Bangor and Dungannon, and continues to grow.
“Leadership Development Programming: Our leadership track supports youth from Year 8 to Year 14, focusing on developing leaders through coaching, mentorship and confidence-building opportunities. We equip young people with the tools they need to lead in their communities and beyond.
“This partnership through the United Youth initiative allows us to expand and enrich our after-school programming in line with the evolving needs and interests of Northern Ireland’s youth.”
Read more at healthy-kidz.com/united-youth-initiative
Find out more about Peace Players NI
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