Empowering Young People, Building Peace through Technology & Connection
Between 2017 and 2022, Peace Bytes will provide a 30 week programme that combines tech, innovative youth work practices and one-to-one support to a projected 960 young people aged 14 – 24 in Northern Ireland and the cross-border region. Through both group work and mentoring, we aim to help young people overcome barriers to their potential, build their confidence and develop links with their peers from different backgrounds, in a safe and non-pressured environment. We believe the use of technology enhances our youth work methodologies, and creates the opportunity for greater engagement with young people. Raising the capacity of not only young people but the community as a whole, leaving a legacy of future leaders who will promote peace and reconciliation. In addition, we provide childcare and transport when required, as well as a financial incentive for participating to those who are eligible.
Our goal is that every participant will complete a minimum of three Open College Network (OCN) qualification: OCN NI Award in Diversity and Good Relations (QCF); OCN NI Award in Peer Mentoring for young people (QCF); alongside an OCN in related area such as Conflict Resolution, Good Relations and Civic and Essential Skills where required. Recently, COVID-19 has seen the expanded use of digital resources maintain strong links with our young people, while looking to continue to recruit new groups for online only programmes. We are using a range of methods – WhatsApp, Google Classroom, Zoom, TikTok, Teams – to remain in contact with service users and continue to support them in completing the programme. Peace Bytes is funded through the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), with match funding provided by the Northern Ireland Executive and Irish Department for Children Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth. Over the project’s lifetime, Peace Bytes will receive €3,795,063.93 in funding from this combination of sources. We work with a number of regional partner organisations, namely TIDES Training, the Moville & District Family Resource Centre and NACN.
