Over 900 young people from across Northern Ireland and the southern border counties converged in Belfast to celebrate graduating from the 2011 Knowledge through Enterprise for Youth (KEY) Programme. KEY brings together young people aged 14-16 from low peace impact communities on both sides of the border to teach them enterprise and entrepreneurial skills. Integral to the Programme is that participants also gain a greater understanding and tolerance for other traditions. To date over 9,000 young people have taken part in the Programme since its inception in 1999.

Supported by the International Fund for Ireland and run jointly by Young Enterprise Northern Ireland and Junior Achievement Ireland, the seven-month Programme consists of a series of workshops, outdoor activities and other tasks aimed at building motivation and confidence, and developing entrepreneurial skills and a greater understanding of different traditions.

Speaking at the event, Denis Rooney CBE, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “The International Fund for Ireland, with its overriding objective of promoting peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, is committed to supporting and facilitating programmes and initiatives that provide opportunities for young people from different community backgrounds to come together to explore common issues and experiences.”

“The KEY Programme is funded under our Building Bridges area of activity, and it is one of a number of youth programmes which aim to provide opportunities for dialogue and mutual understanding. These programmes offer young people a chance to develop their skills and self-esteem, overcome sectarianism and segregation and help to create the building blocks for a shared future.”

Speaking at the graduation event, Carol Fitzsimons, Chief Executive of Young Enterprise Northern Ireland, commented: “The 900 KEY students deserve to be commended on all their hard work over the past year.  Already, we have witnessed some success stories about friendships being forged by students from different communities.  The entrepreneurial aspect of KEY means that pupils have been brought together to work in their business teams, and this has an impact that reaches beyond their time on the Programme.   All at Young Enterprise and Junior Achievement Ireland are extremely grateful to the International Fund for Ireland for their support for the Programme, and look forward to continuing this partnership over the next two years.”

Each year, 12 participants who display exceptional entrepreneurial skills are rewarded with a trip to the Next Generation Leaders Conference held in Queens School of Business, Kingston, Ontario. The 12 participants who displayed exceptional entrepreneurial skills were Meabh Noble, Our Lady of Mercy Belfast, Adam Hilland, St Patrick's Academy, Lisburn, Courtney Carey, St Louise's Comprehensive College, Belfast, Megan McMenemy, Sacred Heart College, Omagh, Joel Pension, Ashfield Boys, Belfast, Peter Lillis, St Columba's College Stranorlar, Donegal, Jessica Candeias, Brownlow Integrated College, Craigavon, Micheal MacDaibheid, Gairmscoil Chu Uladh, Donegal, Katie McHugh, Carrigallen Vocational School, Co. Leitrim, Laura Brohan, Our Lady's Secondary, Castleblayney, Ciaran Rodgers, Rosses Community School and Matthew Moan, St Macartan's College Monaghan.

Other special awards given out at the ceremony were the Company of the Year Award and the KEY Personality of the Year award which was presented to the students who gave 100% to the programme and brought enthusiasm, fun and the right attitude to their camp, building strong relationships with students from all schools. This is a special award as the winners are nominated by their peers at camp.

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