Over 150 young people from both sides of the border came together on Thursday, 20th
November 2025, for a Shared Dialogue Event as part of the STRIVE Programme at the
Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown. Hosted by Northern Ireland Alternatives, the event
welcomed participants from across the Strive partnership for a day focused on
connection and collaboration.
STRIVE is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU
Programmes Body (SEUPB).
STRIVE is a youth-led youth work programme that engages young people in a
transformative process, focusing on five core strands: good relations, citizenship,
personal development, employability, and positive progression. The programme is led
by Include Youth in partnership with Northern Ireland Alternatives, Newstart Education
Centre, Youth Initiatives and Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre.
The day opened with a warm welcome, with snacks and treats provided by The Party
People NI and beautiful balloon décor by Teresa. Young people then took part in a
Restorative Circle, a core STRIVE activity that promotes listening, relationship building
and meaningful conversation. This was followed by Human Bingo and a creative goalsetting exercise where participants designed their own aspiration plaques.
Miss Great Britain Belfast also attended, speaking to the young people about resilience,
confidence and working towards their goals.
A further highlight was a panel discussion with Experts by Experience, young people
who previously completed the STRIVE programme and now volunteer in their
communities. They shared why volunteering matters to them, how using their voices
can drive positive change, and the impact the STRIVE programme has had on their
personal journeys.
The shared dialogue continued around key themes chosen by the young people
themselves, including stereotypes, resilience, internet safety, volunteering, tough
conversations, and managing emotions. These discussions created space for
participants to share perspectives and learn from one another in a supportive and
inclusive environment. The topics reflected the issues young people feel are most
relevant to their lives, leading to meaningful conversations about their concerns,
stresses, and the solutions they believe can make a difference.
“It has been a fantastic day. Thank you to Northern Ireland Alternatives for organising and hosting such a great event, and to all our programme partners for attending. It was a brilliant opportunity for young people from different organisations to come together, connect, and gain new experiences. The PEACEPLUS Programme has given the STRIVE project the chance to invest in the future of our society and today has been a strong example of that in action.”
To add some extra excitement, attendees also had the chance to win prizes in a raffle,
including a Belfast Giants family pass and a signed Ballymena United football.
The event concluded with lunch provided by the Glenavon Hotel and music from an
Expert by Experience DJ, bringing the day to a lively close. A special thank you goes to
James, the Banqueting Manager, and the Glenavon Hotel staff for their support and
hospitality throughout the event.
The Shared Dialogue Event demonstrated the power of collaboration, youth voice, and
cross-community connection. Through meaningful conversations, creative activities,
and shared experiences, young people from across the partnership were able to build
confidence, challenge perspectives, and strengthen relationships. The STRIVE
programme will continue to support young people on their journey, creating
opportunities for growth and positive change
