Fermanagh Young Leaders Announce 7 Grant Awards for Local Community Projects

FermanAware, a community initiative driven by the Fermanagh Youth Leaders Forum, proudly announced the recipients of its latest round of grants aimed at addressing pressing issues within the local community. In a ceremony held at Fermanagh House, representatives from seven deserving organisations were awarded grants totalling £4000 to support projects that promise to make a tangible difference in the lives of Fermanagh residents.

 

Chloe Hamilton, Erne Paddlers and Young Leader Kyle Cadden

 

The Fermanagh Youth Leaders Forum took charge of organising the grant initiative, a dynamic team of young individuals established under the Fermanagh Trust's Investing in Community Leadership Programme supported by the National Lottery Community Fund. Over the course of the programme, these impassioned youth leaders meticulously identified key areas of community concern, crafted the grant framework, designed branding materials, and ultimately allocated the funding to deserving projects.

 

Christina Woods & members of Erne Scout County (Ventures) with Young Leaders Evie McGarry and Ronan Houston

 

Reflecting on the impact of their efforts, one of the young leaders, Mark Wallace, expressed, "Being part of the Fermanagh Youth Leaders Forum and seeing the positive change we can make through the FermanAware grant award has been incredibly rewarding. We're thrilled to see these funding awards go to organisations dedicated to making our community cleaner, safer, and more inclusive."

 

Christopher Hillcox, Friends of Little Woods with Young Leaders Mateusz Walas and Musfira Tariq

 

Among the diverse range of initiatives receiving support are projects targeting homelessness and water pollution. The grants include funding for litter picks on Lough Erne by Erne Paddlers, engaging scouts in water quality analysis by Friends of Little Woods, a visit to Enniskillen Water Treatment Plant by Erne Scout County, litter retrieval efforts by Row the Erne, provision of ‘sofa surfing kits’ by Action for Children - Sperrin & Lakeland Floating Support Service, organising a county-wide litter pick by Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, and addressing living cost challenges for the residents of Rossorry Grove Supported Accommodation. These grants signify a commitment to community improvement and youth-led action.

 

Ashley Robinson Lough Erne Landscape Partnership with Young Leaders Rowan Blake and Ewan Megahey

 

Sonya Johnston, Deputy Director of Fermanagh Trust added “After a thorough process and much deliberation by the young people, we are delighted to award grants to projects who they believe will make the most meaningful difference under their chosen priorities.  These talented young people will be our future leaders, it is important that we support them to fulfil their potential and help them contribute to improving the lives of others. Young people know the challenges facing themselves and their peers and that’s why, as a grant making charity ourselves, Fermanagh Trust are keen to equip them with the skills of grant making, engage with them and learn from them about their priorities and their vision for the future.”

 

Timothy Smyton, Rossorry Grove with Young Leaders Mark Wallace and Lorcán Connor

 

Kathy Owens and Barbara Irwin, Row the Erne with Young Leaders Kyle Cadden and Tamzin Hall

 

Bethany Fleming and Alison Kettyle, Sperrin & Lakeland Floating Support with Young Leaders Danny McNulty and Kristian Cawley