FERMANAGH Trust, in partnership with Holywell Trust in Londonderry, and the Rural Community Network, has launched ‘Community Leadership in the West’ – an ambitious project to identify and develop leaders and help secure a positive future for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

The five-year project has been funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, with the aim of the project to support those who are making things happen in the community as well as succession plan for the future, giving the next generation the chance they need.

A key element of the project is its pilot Grant Maker Apprentice programme, for 16 to 25-year-olds.

As part of the programme, a team of highly-motivated young people with a determination and a passion for making a difference in their community were recruited from across the county.

The team met weekly to design, develop and administrate a bespoke fund – ‘Grant to Give Back’ – that aims to fund activities or projects across Fermanagh which will address one of their key priority areas.

These include young people’s mental health, local poverty, and anti-social behaviour.

Impartial Reporter editor Mark Conway recently took part in an online Zoom meeting with some of the participants in the programme, in which they discussed what participation meant to them.

A common theme expressed by participants was how they welcomed the chance to give something back to their communities, and to support others who also wished to take part in community-focused projects.

Sonya Johnston, the programme Manager, said: "It’s been a real privilege to work with such a determined and passionate group of young people who wish to make a meaningful difference in the community.

"Despite the challenges of Covid-19, they have worked hard to develop a fund which I have no doubt will make a difference at a local level in Fermanagh.

"We hope these young people can use the knowledge and skills they have developed through their participation in the programme to be our next generation of community leaders."

‘Grant to Give Back’ is now open for applications. For further information about the grant, and to download an application form, see the Grants section on the Fermanagh Trust website at www.fermanaghtrust.org.

To get in touch with the team, email grant2giveback@gmail.com, or call 0286 632 0230.