New PEACEPLUS youth project launching in rural Louth

Young people, families, schools, youth groups and local organisations are invited to attend the launch event at The Foy Centre, Carlingford

placeholder image — Young people, families, schools, youth groups and local organisations are invited to attend the launch event at The Foy Centre, Carlingford

Launch event to introduce an 18-month youth project

A major new PEACEPLUS-funded youth initiative aimed at strengthening safety, wellbeing and community connection for young people in rural County Louth will officially launch on Wednesday, 21 January 2026 at The Foy Centre in Carlingford.

Part of PEACEPLUS’s ‘Thriving and Peaceful Communities’ programme the project is funded and supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) (Northern Ireland - Ireland), under Louth County Councils PEACEPLUS action plan and will be managed by Community Restorative Justice Ireland (CRJI) Newry/Armagh over the next 18 months.

Designed to support young people living in rural areas across County Louth, the project will engage at least six communities through a wide range of youth activities, group sessions and personalised one-to-one supports. Its aim is to help young people build confidence, strengthen wellbeing, and feel more connected to their local communities.

Over the course of the programme, youth groups will meet three to four times per week, taking part in activities shaped directly by young people themselves. Planned sessions include:

Sports and outdoor activities
Arts, creative and cultural workshops
Late-night youth sessions
Easter and Summer camps
One-to-one support and signposting to other services for young people who may need additional assistance

All activities will take place in safe, supportive and positive environments where young people can have fun, develop new skills and access guidance when needed. A core focus of Thriving and Peaceful Communities is empowering young participants to influence the programme, ensuring activities genuinely reflect their interests, needs and aspirations.

Through this approach, the project aims to help young people feel more connected to their communities, more confident in themselves, and better equipped to identify and achieve their individual goals.

Young people, families, schools, youth groups and local organisations are invited to attend the launch event at The Foy Centre, Carlingford, on Wednesday, 21 January at 4.00pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the project team, hear about planned activities and learn how to get involved.