Opportunity for Fermanagh’s next generation of leaders

The Fermanagh Trust is recruiting young people aged 16-25 to take part in its 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 their community.

This is Fermanagh Trust’s fourth year of facilitating the Forum. Previous groups have provided over £12,000 in grants to projects across Fermanagh including Cancer Connect, Enniskillen Foodbank, Enniskillen Rugby Club, Belcoo GAA, Boho Youth Club, Devenish Partnership Forum, Include Youth & First Housing Homeless Support Services.

With over 25 years’ experience in managing various funds, the Fermanagh Trust is yet again handing over the reins to young people, their aim is to develop leadership skills and build capacity among the young leaders whilst also create opportunities for local groups to receive funding and engage in community action. As a result of participating in the 6-month programme, the young leaders will develop a wide variety of skills and experience, participants will also be awarded an OCN (Level 1) in Community Development for completing the programme.

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

 

The 2022 Fermanagh Youth Leadership Forum who awarded £4000 to local community projects. Back L-R Angel Huang, Erin Evans, Shay McGovern, Raine Allen. Front L-R Chloe Hamilton, Simon Kidney.

 

Sonya added “Our previous teams 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 in the months ahead.”

Fermanagh Young Leaders’ Forum will commence October 2023 and end March 2024, meeting once a week in Fermanagh House, Enniskillen. Closing date for those who would like to join the programme: Monday 25th September 2023.

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.