News

Youth Action celebrates completion of Let’s Talk initiative at Maldron Hotel

28 September 2026

Young people’s support group Youth Action has hosted a closing event at the Maldron Hotel to celebrate the success of the 'Let's Talk' initiative.

The event brought together over 180 young people from across the Derry and Strabane Council area to reflect on their experience of the project which is supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) under the theme of Celebrating Cultural Diversity funded through Derry City and Strabane District Council’s PEACEPLUS Local Co-Designed Action Plan.

The young people shared what they had learned and celebrated the benefits of youth-led peace building.

The 'Let’s Talk' project aimed to offer a safe, inclusive space for young people to open up about their experiences, fears, and aspirations for the future.

Over the course of the programme, cohorts engaged in team building, health and wellbeing workshops, social inclusion sessions and discussions exploring cultural identity, good relations, and anti-racism.

Participants came from both urban and rural communities and from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds and took part in residential stays and educational visits.

In addition to personal development, the initiative delivered significant educational and leadership pathways. Young people achieved accredited qualifications, including:

OCN Youth Work Practice (Levels 1 and 2)
OCN Event Management (Level 2)
OCN Good Relations (Level 1)
Non-accredited Youth Leadership Training
Reflecting on the impact of the project during the Maldron Hotel event, participant Islam shared:

"Peace projects are so pivotal to us. The sense of community that we have developed together. The sense of shared purpose and belonging. The bridging of societal divides to find common ground."

The programme also provided a platform for participant-led activism. A group of young Muslim participants expressed a strong desire to use their voices to educate others, resulting in the production of an educational video set for official launch during Good Relations Week this October.

Beyond direct youth engagement, 'Let's Talk' fostered deep cross-community collaboration by partnering with eight local youth projects.

The network has established new opportunities to sustain the work, with all participating projects expanding their efforts and inviting new community partners to join the ongoing initiative.