North South Youth Forum, was set up on the basis of creating a platform for young people to speak truth to power and participate in a meaningful youth led project across the island of Ireland.

NSYF has been a driving force for consultation, co-operation and action on issues for young people on a cross border basis.

NSYF is a NIYF project which has been funded by Department of Foreign Affairs, Reconciliation Unit.

During 21-22 NSYF worked in partnership with Foróige ,Youth Work Ireland Galway, Youth work Ireland Louth and the Rainbow Project. It met and engaged with many stakeholders across this island about its vision and mission and has sought the support particularly of political representatives to listen to young people and to take action.

Its main purpose is for young people across the island to work on issues of common interest to make meaningful change at individual, peer, community, and societal level.

NIYF recruited partners from across the island to support the delivery of this project
which included cross border recruitment, group development and to support young people
to plan organise and deliver their HYSD in their county.

Four Have Your Say Days took place in each province across the Island. These took place in a variety of locations in

  • Co. Cork,
  • Co. Galway,
  • Co. L/Derry
  • Co. Louth.

These HYSDs were created so that young people from the region could speak truth to power on the issues that affect them daily.
Young people engaged with elected political reps North and South, they invited guest speakers and facilitated workshops and encouraged debate with other young people on matters of importance.
Over 500 young people attended these HYSD and focus group events.

In June 2022 NSYF participated in a weekend long residential in Belfast NI were they engaged in social, political and recreational activities .
They also had a formal sitting of NSYF members where young people from across the island took centre stage to highlight the key asks from their local HYSD.

These discussions covered a wide range of issues that affect young people on a daily basis, 8 key asks were agreed and these can be found in the document…….
and an evaluation report of the project can be found here…

To find out more about NSYF please contact Louisa Ward or Cormac O Neill at NIYF.