More than 1,000 young people take part in cross-border programme helping build skills and confidence

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald is pictured at Roe Valley Residents Associations Youth and Community Hub in Limavady where she met some of the young people who have participated in the Peaceplus Journeys Project.

More than 1,000 young people across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have taken part in a cross-border programme designed to help disadvantaged young people build confidence, gain qualifications and move towards education or employment.

The milestone comes as Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald visited Limavady to see the PeacePlus-funded Journeys project in action, meeting participants who shared how the programme had helped them re-engage with learning and make positive changes in their lives.

More than 500 complete programme

Since launching in September 2024, the North-South Journeys programme has supported more than 1,000 people aged 14 to 24, with over 500 already completing the scheme.

Delivered by Springboard, the project provides tailored support to young people facing barriers to education, training or employment, helping them develop practical skills while building confidence and resilience.

During a visit to Roe Valley Residents Association’s Youth and Community Hub in Limavady to see the impact of the Peaceplus Journeys Project first-hand, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald met with Karen Campbell, General Manager of Roe Valley Residents' Association, Steph O'Rourke, Executive Director Springboard and Esther Baird from SEUPB.

During her visit to the Roe Valley Residents Association’s Youth and Community Hub in Limavady, the Minister heard directly from participants about their experiences and the difference the programme has made.

She said:

“At its mid-point, it is encouraging to see the meaningful progress being made, with skilled staff working closely with young people to address individual needs and support them on their journey towards further education and employment.

“As I have seen today, programmes like Journeys are making a real difference on the ground – helping young people gain recognised qualifications, develop key employability skills and contribute positively within their communities.”

Supporting young people facing barriers

The programme focuses on young people who may be at risk of becoming disconnected from education or employment, offering personalised support aimed at improving life opportunities.

Participants can work towards recognised qualifications while developing employability skills, confidence and wider social connections.

The Minister also heard first-hand accounts from young people who described how the programme had helped them return to learning, improve their self-belief and make more positive choices for the future.

Part of wider PeacePlus investment

Journeys is one of six projects delivered through the PeacePlus Youth Programme.

The initiative is led by the Department for the Economy and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), using PeacePlus funding to support projects that promote inclusion, skills development and opportunities for disadvantaged young people across the island.

With the programme now at its halfway stage, organisers will continue supporting new participants while tracking how the qualifications, skills and confidence gained translate into further education, training and employment opportunities.