Bridges in Belfast serve both as a means of dividing as well as well of uniting people in various parts of the city. Youthcom has been awarded funding of £500,000 by the International Fund for Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, for an innovative 3 year cross-community capacity building programme which aims to unite young people from communities traditionally on either side of these bridges.

Crossing the Bridges aims to unite young people from what have been traditionally hard line Republican and Loyalist areas. The programme will involve young people from four loyalist communities and young people from four nationalist communities primarily in East and West of Belfast. The project was formally launched at the Big Wheel, beside Belfast City Hall, by Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern on Thursday 10 April.

Crossing the Bridges is a follow up to the East Meets West programme which ran for 18 months between young people from the Corpus Christi Youth Centre, Ballymurphy and young people from the Tullycarnet estate.

The aim of the project is to enable young people to secure the information and skills necessary to enable them to actively participate in peace building, both within their own communities, and also between communities on either side of the sectarian divide.

Among the key elements of this youth programme are the participation of young people in An Gaisce(President's Award)/ Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award; a Youth Leadership Award; a 15 mile expedition; cultural diversity celebrations; anti-sectarian workshops and a Community Relations Conference.

Mr Brian McKee, Director of Youthcom stated: "There is the expectation that after their participation and training achieved through this programme, the adult volunteers and young people will pass on their own skills to others, take active participation in future cross community events and activities, and actively promote the shared and integral vision of the project to other community groups. This project is a wonderful example of young people from communities most affected by conflict playing their part in the creation of a new and shared future for us all."

Click here for photographs of launch

If you have an item of news that would like to be considered for inclusion on our web site, send us the information by e-mail to info@youthcom.org, or use the Contact Us page on the web site.

Youthcom has recently secured funding from the Department of Irish Foreign Affairs to develop the 'New Day' programme.

This funding will include the training of leaders, developing a comprehensive resource and funding groups for delivering the 'New Day' programme. As a result of the funding, Youthcom has recently delivered 'New Day' facilitators training for youth workers/ministers throughout the Diocese so that they can effectively deliver this programme to young people.

The training of New Day Facilitators happened in early December 2006 and was a huge success with 30 participants involved. The Participants came from many different youth settings throughout the diocese. St Louis House, St Brigid's parish, Harryville parish and St Joseph's in Carryduff were well represented. There were also participants from Rosario and Deanby youth centres as well La Salle Retreat centre staff. a few teachers were involved also making sure that the schools are up to date with the New Day Programme.

Training included lots of fun activities, workshops and dicussion. There was also outdoor activities and good food and craic to keep everyone interested and looking for further training.

There will be a few follow up meetings for the New 'New Day' Facilitators and hopefully a certificate night in April.