Cross-community organisation, Youth Initiatives, today (25th October) gave a preview of a new Project Centre which is under construction on the outskirts of west Belfast.

The Poleglass-based facility will provide state of the art resources and modern equipment and enable the organisation to engage with more young people in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland. The project is supported by the International Fund for Ireland and will be completed in April 2013.

Youth Initiatives has more than 20 years experience in cross-community youth work. The new centre will provide a central base for ongoing activities including focused workshops; training; youth programmes  and seminars .

The facilities are designed to be multifunctional and will include modern youth worker offices, a lounge for young people, a multipurpose hall for various projects and activities, seminar rooms and a counselling room.

It will also become Youth Initiative’s regional headquarters and support the organisation’s plans for further youth engagement activities across Northern Ireland.

David Graham International Fund for Ireland Board Member, said: “Through this modern venue Youth Initiatives will provide new opportunities for young people to meet, learn and work together. This will be an important and powerful addition to the collective efforts that are already underway to improve community relations, support peace building and reduce sectarianism in this area and across Northern Ireland. 

“Youth Initiatives carry out a variety of programmes that are instrumental in shaping positive attitudes for the future. It is important that projects like this continue to grow and tackle segregation within local communities across the island of Ireland.”

Doug Smith, Director of Youth Initiatives added; “This facility is an important part of our forward strategy and will provide a real boost to youth work in this area. These new premises will allow our youth workers to continue existing cross-community projects and provides capacity for new approaches. We have over 20 years experience in providing activities that reach those who are least likely to access and most in need of community relations youthwork.

“It is important that future generations can be kept engaged and given the opportunities to become positive contributors to society. This new facility will help us to reach out to more young people for many years to come. We are grateful to the International Fund for Ireland, who funded our early community relations youthwork and are now providing a legacy for the future with this new project centre and regional office.”

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