YOUNG people across Derry and Strabane are set to benefit from a range of exciting new projects in the new year, as the winners of the YOUth Making it Happen Participatory Budget (PB) scheme were announced today.
A total of 18 projects were selected by young people by online vote, with each group receiving between £500 and £1,000 to deliver a positive youth focused initiative in Local Community Partnership areas across the City and District.
It’s the first time a participatory budgeting scheme has been shaped and delivered by young people here, and the learnings from the scheme will help inform any future PB initiatives.
The group worked closely with Council’s Community Planning team and Community Places to decide every aspect of the process, from themes to award criteria.
They faced a number of challenges along the way due to the Covid-19 restrictions which limited engagement and meant additional conditions being placed on the process.
But the team successfully navigated these issues taking some more alternative approaches to delivering the scheme.
The scheme was open to groups aged 12-25, who were tasked with coming up with some positive ideas for their area, including the purchase of new equipment, the delivery of workshops, events, and cultural experiences.
Participating groups submitted an initial ideas brief before creating their own videos to pitch their concepts to the public.
The diverse array of successful entries address a wide range of issues including health and wellbeing, isolation, leadership, the environment and empowerment, and were selected by online voters aged between 12-25.
Congratulating the successful entrants, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian Tierney, said:
“I just want to extend the warmest congratulations to all the groups who took part in this process, we received a fantastic selection of really creative and ambitious ideas to benefit local young people. Well done to the successful candidates whose entries really captured the imagination of the voters.
“I look forward to seeing the projects being delivered in the New Year and I have no doubt they will have a very positive impact in Local Community Partnership Areas.
“This was a great opportunity for local young people to step up and take the lead in local decision making.
“I’m very impressed at the standard of the proposals put forward.
“I would also like to acknowledge the role of the YOUth Making It Happen CoDesign team who took such a mature and responsible approach to leading on the delivery of this project.
“Their experience and feedback will help shape any further PB processes here.”
You can view the successful project video entries online at: growderrystrabane.com
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