Fermanagh Young Leaders Forum getting ready to award £4000

Twelve of Fermanagh’s future leaders are working as a team to negotiate, promote and develop the systems and processes necessary to provide funding to local projects addressing what they believe are the key issues facing young people in their community.

With over 20 years’ experience in managing various funds, the Fermanagh Trust is handing over the reins to young people in order to develop leadership, build capacity among the young leaders and create opportunities for local groups to receive funding and engage in community action.

This is Fermanagh Trust’s fourth year of facilitating the ‘Fermanagh Young Leaders Forum’. Previous young leaders have awarded £1000s to a number of local innovative projects, making a difference and empowering young people. Including Cancer Connect, Women’s Aid and Enniskillen Food Bank.

 

Fermanagh Young Leaders Forum (L-R) Tamzin Hall, Kyle Cadden, Mark Wallace, Danny McNulty, Evie McGarry, Ronan Houston, Ewan Megahey, Mateusz Walas, Musfira Tariq, Kristian Cawley, Lorcan Connor and Rowan Blake.

 

Sonya Johnston, Deputy Director of the Fermanagh Trust said “Ultimately, our process is about listening to young people who are passionate about making a difference and providing them with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to develop their thoughts and ideas into reality. It’s our belief that these 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 are experts in their own lives, they know the challenges facing themselves and their peers that’s why Fermanagh Trust are keen to engage with them and learn from them about their priorities and their vision for the future. Rather than simply give the money out ourselves - Listen to the young people, because they know what their key needs and priorities are.”

The Young Leaders are working their way through researching their local priorities, developing their fund and will be opening for applications from organisations soon. For more information on the Forum E: sonya@fermanaghtrust.org / Tel: 028 66 320 210

Fermanagh Young Leaders Forum is part of a wider £500,000 investment from The National Lottery Community Fund into a major project to identify and develop leaders, building their capacity to help secure a positive future for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Northern Ireland.