YOUth Making It Happen!

An exciting new youth led and designed PB process has launched today across the Derry and Strabane District Council Area. Over the last few months young people from across the city have been involved in shaping and designing the YOUth Making It Happen! PB process.

The young people on the co-design team commented on their experience: "We’ve really enjoyed working on the project, we got to choose the themes and were involved in every aspect of the decisions – this has made it more youth centred and the process much more open. The fact that so many people will be involved in making the final decision about who will be funded makes it much more democratic. We’re not making assumptions about what people want, we’re letting them choose and that’s really important.”

Mayor Tierney joined some of the team for the launch this week at Guildhall Square, and praised the work that has gone into the PB process to date. "Participatory Budgeting offers a real opportunity to empower local people and actively involve them in decision making and the distribution of support within their local areas," he explained. "Council were keen to involve young people in the delivery of this PB resource, and I'm extremely impressed at the progressive ideas and creative approaches that the youth co-design team have come up with. Despite the challenges presented by Covid-19 they have remained committed to the project, and are really keen to inspire other young people to participate in bringing about positive change."

You can find out more about the YOUth Making It Happen PB process at growderrystrabane.com/youthpb and get involved to have a direct say in how the budget of £20,000 is allocated across the city #decisionmaking #empowerment #youdecide #makingithappen #youth19

Watch the YOUth Making It Happen! video