Bid submitted... Council takes next step towards 2019 European Youth Capital status

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s bid to secure the European Youth Capital in 2019 took a step closer today when the Mayor, Cllr Elisha McCallion officially submitted the first phase bid document.

The document is the next stage of the process first initiated by Council last year to secure the coveted title, which if successful, could see the city and district, and wider region, reap huge economic and social benefits.

Submitting the document (pictured), Mayor McCallion said she was hugely excited and optimistic about the Council’s bid.

“Securing the European Youth Capital for Derry and Strabane would be a major coup for the entire region. It would enhance our cultural, social, political and economic life and give us a greater profile in terms of showcasing our tourism offering and our unique history.

“It will allow us to showcase our vibrant youthful population and our creativity and help us deliver youth based activities as a key part of our Community Plan.

“It would help us lay the foundations for young people’s involvement in developing and shaping policy that will become a core component of all future Community Plans.

“A lot of work has gone into the bid process through direct engagement with young people and the wider population across the community and voluntary sector, statutory organisations and youth groups, in an effort to the real issues affecting young people and how they envisage a new, prosperous and more appealing future for them and their peers.”

Details of the final five shortlisted candidates to go through to the next stage of the process will be announced 26 April next with overall winner will be revealed at the European Youth Forum’s General Assembly in November this year.

As part of the campaign, young people from all social and community backgrounds are encouraged to get involved in opportunities to celebrate their city’s culture and to be proud and ambitious about their hopes for the future, . Young people aged between 15 and 25 across the Council area who are interested in getting involved are encouraged to do so and be part of the EYC ’19 by registering at www.eyc19.com