DkIT’s ‘H2O Heroes’ one of the PEACEPLUS funded projects under the 'United Youth Initiative' set to launch in March 2025

The project partners held an official launch event in Black Mountain Shared Space, Belfast Portadown on Friday 14th March 2025. The launch provided an opportunity to hear from the project funders, UYI partners and participants about the impact of this kind of youth focused project and the positive difference this work will make in young people’s families and communities over the next 3 years.

At the launch of UYI, Education Minister Paul Givan said

“I welcome that the United Youth Initiative project will enable young people outside the main education system to tackle social issues such as inequality and discrimination. Opportunities for young people to build positive relationships and skills through sport, creativity and environmental initiatives will undoubtably impact their outlook and contribution to wider society. A programme such as this can change the lives of young people, creating a real opportunity for lasting and positive change."  

Minister for Education, Ms Helen McEntee TD said:

“I am delighted to welcome the launch of United Youth Initiative. This programme will make a real difference in the lives of young people across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The successful development and launch of the programme is testament to the strong collaboration between the project partners and I commend them on the work that has been done to get to this point. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the partners and participants and wish them every success.  I look forward to seeing the impact of programme on our young people and their communities over the course of the next three years.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said:

“I am delighted at the launch of what will be such an important and beneficial project for young people in youth club settings across Northern Ireland and border counties of Ireland.

“Investing in young people is essential for our long-term peace and prosperity. Further investment in our young people through the PEACEPLUS Programme will provide opportunities for young people to improve their life chances, skills, education, confidence-building and creative and sporting activities, encouraging social entrepreneurship.

“As part of the PEACEPLUS Shared Learning Together Education Programme Investment Area, United Youth Initiatives will increase the level of contact between young people from diverse communities – including those experiencing socio-economic deprivation.

“All of this is aimed at helping to end the cycle of educational disadvantage and the project will bring together young people from diverse backgrounds to participate in shared learning experiences using sports, good relations and environmental initiatives.”

Paul Carvill, Programme Manager of Healthy Kidz said:

“After months of preparation Healthy Kidz is delighted to start the delivery of United Youth Initiative alongside its partners to positively impact the well-being and lives of thousands of young people over the next 3 years. Our collaborative approach with the youth sector and the delivery of Good Relations projects over the past 10 years will ensure that we use our positive relations delivery methodology to create positive change across local communities in Northern Ireland and border counties areas. If you would like to get involved in ‘United Youth Initiative’ please get in touch so that together we can make a positive difference.”

Dr Caroline Gilleran Stephens, Project Manager for H2O Heroes at DkIT spoke as part of the panel discussion about DkIT’s strong track record in community engagement, research, and delivering impactful educational programmes, and she emphasised how integral these values are to the initiatives we support.

She added that

“The United Youth Initiative will be a truly transformative experience, empowering young people through environmental learning, creativity, and sport. Our H2O Heroes programme, running since 2017, reflects H2O Heroes commitment to using science and education to create positive change. It’s about helping young people understand their impact on the planet and empowering them to be part of the solution.”

PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and is funded in partnership by the European Union, the Government of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland administration.

Notes to Editors

“Notes to editors” are used to provide additional information on the project and its funding outside of the main body of a press release.

See below Notes to Editors to be included in any press releases issued by projects funded under PEACEPLUS.

• The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
• PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The total value of PEACEPLUS is €1.14 billion.
• PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.