Healthy Kidz is thrilled to be entrusted, alongside its partners, to deliver a PEACEPLUS project under Area 3.1 Shared Learning Together non-formal education. The ‘United Youth Initiatives’ Project, which has been developed in partnership with H2O Heroes at Dundalk Institute of Technology, Boys and Girls Clubs NI and PeacePlayers NI; will be delivered across Northern Ireland and the border counties in Ireland.

Through the €3,319,291 ‘United Youth Initiatives’ the partners will work with 5,500 young people aged 9-18 years of age from youth club settings to engage in a programme that will bring together youth from diverse backgrounds to participate in shared learning experiences using sports, creativity and environmental initiatives as tools to contribute towards a more inclusive and cohesive society.

Education Minister Paul Givan said: “I welcome the announcement of funding to support shared learning programmes across youth-work and school settings.

“This investment will benefit a large number of children and young people, providing increased opportunities to engage, interact and learn alongside their peers from a variety of backgrounds. The outcomes of this will help contribute to a better future for them, their communities and wider society.”

Minister for Education, Ms Norma Foley T.D. said: “I am delighted that successful projects under the Shared Learning Together Education Programme have been awarded funding under this ambitious new PEACEPLUS Programme.

“These successful initiatives have been meticulously modelled to complement and build on the foundations of the previous PEACE IV Programme and include a focus on tackling educational disadvantage, promoting inclusivity and diversity, enhancing engagement opportunities, and increasing participation of children and young people from all backgrounds together. I also welcome the proposed provision of supports to their teachers and youth workers through meaningful cross-border and cross-community collaboration.

“I eagerly anticipate our continued engagement with our Northern Ireland, British and EU colleagues and stakeholders to utilise the full potential of this new PEACEPLUS Programme.”

In the weeks and months ahead Healthy Kidz and partners will recruit new members of staff to deliver the programme and will be engaging with the different local stakeholders to get involved in the ‘United Youth Initiatives’.

Paul Carvill, Founder of Healthy Kidz said: ‘As we reach our milestone 10th anniversary at Healthy Kidz we are delighted that this funding will enable us to work with our partners to positively impact the wellbeing and lives of over 5,500 young people in the next 3 years. Our collaborative approach with the youth sector and the delivery of Good relations projects over the past 10 years will ensure that we use our positive relations delivery methodology to create positive change across local communities in Northern Ireland and border county areas. If you would like to get involved in ‘United Youth Initiatives’ please get in touch so that together, we can make a positive difference.’

PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and is funded in partnership 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.