Over 900 young entrepreneurs are celebrating after graduating from the Knowledge through Enterprise for Youth (KEY) programme at ceremonies held at the Europa Hotel, Belfast.  The programme, which is jointly run by Young Enterprise Northern Ireland and Junior Achievement Ireland, is funded by the International Fund for Ireland. It brings together young people aged between 14 and 16 years old from marginalised communities on both sides of the border to teach them about enterprise and help develop entrepreneurial and personal skills. Inspiring the young audience at their graduations were key speakers and entrepreneurs Mr Barry Connolly, MD of Richmond Marketing and Neil Flanigan (23) founder of Internet café No Geeks and one of Northern Ireland’s youngest entrepreneurs. Participating students are drawn from over 72 schools from Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties and they take part in the seven month programme which includes a series of workshops, outdoor activities and other tasks aimed at building motivation and confidence and gaining entrepreneurial skills and a greater understanding of their peers’ background and culture.Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “The KEY programme provides often the only opportunity these young people have to mix with their peers from other traditions and backgrounds. Over the duration of the course it aims to enhance these students personal development through enterprise training, business tasks and outdoor activities. “In the nine years since the programme was launched it has been a phenomenal success with almost 6000 participants to date gaining a greater understanding and tolerance of the religious backgrounds of others, forging firm friendships and working together in the spirit of enterprise.“KEY is one of the ‘shining stars’ in the Fund’s portfolio of programmes and I would like to personally congratulate all of the graduates here today. By participating in this programme they have acquired invaluable business acumen and life experience.” Chairman of Young Enterprise Northern Ireland, Professor Ken O’Neill, said: “Each year we are overwhelmed with the students determination and enthusiasm and many of the past graduates from the programme have gone on to have bright futures, sharing their knowledge and business expertise with their communities.”“We would like to thank the International Fund for Ireland for their continued support and to all those involved in helping these students reach their graduation today. I’d like to thank most sincerely the local business community without whom we could not  continue this programme  and I urge more local businesses to invest some time in KEY and to see for themselves what an inspirational and positive programme it is.”As part of this year’s KEY programme, twelve participants who displayed exceptional entrepreneurial skills are being rewarded with a trip to the Canadian Junior Achievement Conference, held in Toronto this August. This event brings hundreds of young people together from around the world to get a first hand look at the international world of business.Also for the first time this year, a special recognition award has been awarded to teachers who have contributed significantly to the KEY programme during its history. Eight teachers who have given up much of their time to drive the programme forward have been rewarded with a fact-finding mission to New York to visit their US counterparts and members of Junior Achievement New York to get an insight into how Enterprise Education differs in the States. Their names are: Teachers awarded Special Recognition Awards Colin O’Callaghan – Lisnaskea High School, Co FermanaghMike Doherty – Lough Allen College, Co LeitrimGrainne Connolly – St Louise’s College, BelfastDiane McGarvey - Little Flower Girls School, BelfastNiamh Desmond – St Peters High School DerryAisling Flood - St Joseph’s DroghedaYvonne Duffy - St Fancheas, EnniskillenDeirdre Kelly - Dungannon IntegratedCANJAC pupilsNewcastle/Rostrevor CampPeter Bell - St Columba’s College, PortaferryWarren Stewart - Monaghan Collegiate SchoolEmma Shaw - Downshire School, Carrickfergus Paul Wilson - Breifne College, Co CavanCorrymeela CampJennifer Shannon - Little Flower Girls SchoolSophie Harte     - Strabane High SchoolLisnaskea CampChristopher Bunting - Belfast Boys ModelLaura Gilfedder -St Marys High School BelleekAislin Trainor - Lismore ComprehensiveJake Mc Cabe - St Josephs CBS DroghedaCorrymeela CampKirstin O’Regan - Scoil MhuireCaroline Kelly - Carndonagh CommunityThe KEY graduation celebrations continue tomorrow in Belfast.

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