Opportunity for Fermanagh’s next generation of leaders

The Fermanagh Trust is recruiting local young people aged 16-25 to take part in it’s Fermanagh Young Leaders’ Forum. Young people will work 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.

 

L-R Katrina Powers Irvinestown’s 6th Fermanagh Scouts, Erin Evan Fermanagh Young Leader 2021 and Sonya Johnston Deputy Director Fermanagh Trust

 

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. As a result of participating in the 6-month programme apprentices will develop a wide variety of skills and experience.

This is Fermanagh Trust’s third year of facilitating the Forum. Previous young leaders have awarded £1000s to a number of local innovative projects, making a difference and empowering young people. Including Irvinestown’s 6th Fermanagh Scout group who used their award to provide a summer programme of improving physical and mental wellbeing through providing a series of water-based activities including canoeing and kayaking.

Sonya Johnston, Deputy Director of the Fermanagh Trust said “This is a chance to learn new skills, have fun and make a difference in your community. If you’re aged 16-25 in Fermanagh, have a genuine interest in developing your leadership skills and confidence or you want something unique to put on your CV/ Uni application do get in touch with us.”

Sonya added “Our last team of young leaders clearly benefitted hugely from the programme and as a result of their participation, they provided local projects with much needed funding.  This is why we are running this programme, to invest in our future community leaders, rather than simply give the money out ourselves - listen to the young people, because they are the experts, they know what issues need addressing, we need to assist them to use their voice and influence decisions which affect them, we need to empower them to lead and shape change for themselves and future generations. We’re very much looking forward to working with a new team soon.”

Fermanagh Young Leaders’ Forum will commence October 2022 and end March 2023, meeting once a week in Fermanagh House, Enniskillen. Closing date for those who would like to join the programme: Thursday 29th September 2022.

For more information or to apply to join the programme CLICK HERE / 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, to help secure a positive future for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Northern Ireland.