​Could Mid and East Antrim’s young people have the answer to Stormont stalemate?

Are you aged between 16 and 24 and interested in taking on a leadership role in your local community? Then Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s exciting new programme is for you.

The Next Generation Leaders Programme is recruiting now and needs the future community voices to get involved in promoting active citizenship across the area. The EU PEACE IV funded project, will see the creation of youth forums in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne.

The programme will give young people a voice and an opportunity to become involved in local decision making through workshops, accredited training, a cross-border visit and sessions with elected officials.

To get involved or find out more, come along to our recruitment session on Thursday 27 June at Carrickfergus Town Hall from 7-8pm.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Maureen Morrow welcomed the initiative: “It is important for our young people to be able to learn the skills they need to become active citizens within the borough.

“Supporting our young people to learn leadership skills and positively contribute within our community is vital and programmes like this one will help mentor and support them to positively shape their future in this borough and beyond. Who knows, we may even have the future First Minister of Northern Ireland start their political career right here in Mid and East Antrim.”

Abi Gay is signed up to attend and said: “I'm really looking forward to the programme, particularly as it will give me the opportunity to meet and work with other young people from across the borough. I think it's important that young people like us have programmes like this, to help us develop new skills, but also give us a platform to help change things where we live for the better.”

Manus Magill from Copius Consulting, who are delivering the programme added: “The thing which really drives us is working with young people, giving them an opportunity and giving them a voice. By hearing what they have to say, it opens up a dialogue with older generations, creating a further chance to learn from each other.

“This programme will lay down the building blocks for those involved to become the change makers within their communities and Mid and East Antrim as a whole.”

Next Generation Leaders is a project supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Match-funding has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

For more information get in touch with Manus Magill at Copius on T: 028 9590 2885 or M: 07866987710 or E: manus@copiusconsulting.co.uk