Ballina 2023 Youth Programme commences
Year-long programme will build youth capacity in partnership with Ballina Chamber of Commerce, Mayo North-East SICAP, MSLETB, Rio Ferdinand Foundation and TUSLA
Ballina 2023 is a year-long celebration that will mark the 300th Anniversary of the official founding of the town and will feature a series of public events throughout the year.
An extensive Youth Programme commencing this month will mark the start of Ballina 2023’s exciting year-long line-up of celebratory events and initiatives for the town’s tercentenary. Working in partnership with Ballina Chamber of Commerce, Mayo North-East SICAP, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and TUSLA’s Mayo Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC), Ballina 2023 will offer young people from the region aged between 18 and 24 an exciting opportunity to gain experience and training in events, music programming, radio and digital broadcast media, sports training, the arts, community leadership and youth voice over the course of the year. The Youth Programme is one of several Ballina 2023 projects designed to deliver a positive, long-term legacy for the town.
Up to 20 participants from the Ballina, North Mayo and West Sligo areas will have the opportunity to collaborate on a practical level with Ballina 2023 and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Macnas, Warner Music, Ballina Community Radio among others, and will receive professional development mentorship, training and accreditation as part of the programme.
Speaking about the programme, Cllr. Jarlath Munnelly, Chairperson of the Ballina 2023 Steering Group said: “One of our main objectives for Ballina 2023 was to deliver a strong legacy, and through our Youth Programme we hope that working with young people to empower them to use their voices will result in greater involvement at a community and civic level into the future. We’re delighted to be able to deliver this varied programme in partnership with so many great local, national and international organisations over the next year and it will be lots fun for all involved.”
Get involved
An open call for participants is now underway, and to develop their voice in their community and be part of the Ballina 2023 Programme, interested young people are invited to send a voice note, short video or email outlining why they would like to get involved to info@ballina2023.ie or by WhatsApp to 083 094 8943.
An informal open evening will take place in Ballina Arts Centre on Thursday, January 26 from 6pm to 8pm, and anyone interested is welcome to pop in and chat to the partners and sign up on the night. This will be followed by an induction day during February 2023, to kick off the programme itself.
Programme Partners
