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 bid 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 bid document, 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.
“We are really excited about our bid and about the work we have put together as part of the process and are very hopeful that we will make it through to the final stages.
“European Youth Capital status will give us the tools necessary to create and deliver a youth friendly plan that will make a real and lasting difference to the entire community,” she added.
Details of the final five shortlisted candidates to go through to the next stage of the process will be announced 26th April while the overall winner will be announced at the European Youth Forum’s General Assembly in November 2016.
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,
Oonagh McGillion, Legacy Director with Derry City and Strabane District Council and the lead officer for the European Youth Capital bid said:
“Key to the success of the bid is getting young people directly involved.
“We went out and talked to young people and invited them to be part of the process and to have an input to what we are doing.
“Whether you are from Derry City, Strabane Town, the Faughan, Glenelly and Derg Valleys, and all the the rural areas in between, this is about creating a better future for you and future generations to come.
“We hope that the city and district’s bid to become European Youth Capital for 2019 will present our young people with a massive opportunity to showcase their talents and tell the world about what they do and where they come from, but more importantly to put them at the heart of the decision making process,” she added.
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.
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