about

The OUR Generation project is an EU €6.7m PEACE IV funded project that provides a unique opportunity for communities, north and south of the Border, to work together to halt the intergenerational impact of trauma and to build emotional resilience and peace for generations to come.

This three-year project will run until September 2023, and has already engaged with 48,000 children, young people and their key contacts. The project is being delivered in education, youth and community settings in the Urban Village Areas of Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Northern Ireland and Ireland. The cross border partnership of 7 regional organisations is led by Action Mental Health in partnership with Donegal Youth Service, Co-Operation Ireland, Youth Action NI, Youth Work Ireland, PlayBoard NI & Ulster University.

Funding for the OUR Generation project has been awarded through the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Match-funding for the project has been provided by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

OUR Generation is collaborating with existing community–based initiatives to offer accessible, age appropriate prevention, early intervention and recovery activities delivered on a cross-border and cross-community basis to support the mental and emotional well-being of children and young people.

Children and young people are engaging in programme design and delivery, including provision of peer support, developing skills and confidence to improve well-being within their communities and act as agents of change, building peace for future generations.

The Need

The EU’s PEACE IV Programme recognises that a significant number of people, living across the region, are suffering from Troubles/conflict-related trauma. In particular communities with a history and ongoing experience of deprivation and social tension are the ones most impacted by the legacy of conflict and division.

The latest research also shows that this trauma can be passed on trans-generationally to younger people; many of whom suffer with poor mental health as a result.

The areas of project delivery have been chosen because deprivation, social tension and poor mental health have been highlighted by local groups, youth work practitioners and schools as a barrier preventing our young people and communities from thriving.

Legacy

4,900 key contacts of Children and Young People will be equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to support the emotional resilience and wellbeing of Children and Young People including an improved understanding of mental health problems.

31,100 Children and Young People will have improved emotional resilience, empathy and skills to help themselves and others; greater intercultural awareness, community cohesion; the capacity and desire to be active citizens in their communities. Children and Young People and their key contacts will have co-designed a range of digital resources including a social media app, animations & podcasts to support their own needs and those of the wider communities on a regional and national basis. Emotional Recovery Colleges will be accessible in communities for all Children and Young People and their wider communities to engage on a cross-community basis & access support for mental/emotional resilience.

The Need

The latest research also shows that this trauma can be passed on trans-generationally to younger people; many of whom suffer with poor mental health as a result.