More than 1,000 young people from Northern Ireland and the Republic have taken part in a cross-border skills programme since its launch in September 2024, with over 500 already completing the scheme.

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald visited the Roe Valley Residents' Association's Youth and Community Hub in Limavady to meet participants and hear about their experiences. She said the programme is making meaningful progress at its halfway stage, with staff working closely with young people to address individual needs and support them towards further education or employment.

The Journeys project is delivered by Springboard and funded by the PeacePlus programme. It targets 14 to 24-year-olds who face barriers to education, training or work, offering personalised support to build skills, confidence and social connections.

During the visit, the minister heard first-hand accounts from participants who described how the programme helped them re-engage with learning and make more positive choices. She was accompanied by Karen Campbell of Roe Valley Residents' Association, Springboard's Executive Director Steph O'Rourke and Esther Baird from the Special EU Programmes Body.

Journeys is one of six projects under the PeacePlus Youth Programme, led by the Department for the Economy and managed by SEUPB. It focuses on promoting inclusion and developing opportunities for disadvantaged young people across the island.

Organisers will continue enrolling new participants and monitoring how the qualifications and confidence gained lead to further education, training and employment outcomes.