Search

Conversations on Future Structures, Relationships & the Voice of Young People

Since 2024, a collaboration of voluntary youth organisations has been coordinating a shared process to consider what the sector needs to thrive. In that first phase, over 150 people from across the voluntary youth work sector contributed their time, insight and lived experience. Their input helped surface the pressures faced by volunteer‑led groups and organisations of every size and shaped the report- The future of voluntary youth work in Northern Ireland - aspirations for transformation

In 2025, this sector‑led collaboration continued to grow through further engagement and research, including  How to Grow the Voluntary Youth Work Sector by Dr Elizabeth McArdle (Ulster University). 

NICVA welcomes the publication of yesterdays Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) report on Economic Growth in NI , which delivers a clear and urgent warning: the UK Government is “still not listening to the warnings” from the voluntary and community sector about the devastating impact of a 64% cut to VCS‑led employability support services as a result of the introduction of the Local Growth Fund from next week Wednesday 1 April.

Funded by the profits of the Empower Garden Centre and the recently added, Community Café, popping in for a potted plant and a cappuccino in Portadown means green fingered residents help lift the cloud of mental illness.