Video: Ballymena schools PB focussed on Wellbeing of Young People

This 2024 schools PB programme was about a culture of democratic participation and increasing the number of young people with an understanding of community development, good relations, and democracy through Participatory Budgeting (PB). Watch their video made following their celebration event.

The Ballymena Schools PB programme was supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. Led by staff from Radius Housing, and with young people involved in all stages from design to delivery, the pupils involved in this programme now know that they play a key role in increasing political awareness and supporting democratic and political participation and that PB can significantly contribute to this. The theme for the project was ‘Wellbeing of Young People in schools’, and it was a great success.

Feedback from the programme, including comments from some of the young people

“A feeling that our voice is truly heard, perhaps we have been asked to contribute before but never had the final say.”

“The younger students have come up with some truly brilliant ideas which is a success in of itself, there also seems to be brilliant participation.”

“Its truly amazing giving the pupils the choice.”

Junior NI Minister Aisling Reilly said:

“This is a fantastic programme and I’m sure the knowledge and skills the young participants have gained will stand them in good stead going forward, encouraging them to be active citizens and play a positive role in shaping the future of their local communities and wider society”.

Karin Eyben from Hare’s Corner co-operative, who supported the programme design, said:

“This innovative programme has raised the voices and ideas of young people in the schools, allowing them to think about and experience decision making, project design, budgeting, pitching for votes, listening to all ideas in a respectful, mindful manner before voting for what they believe will be best for student wellbeing. The programme has fitted in well with the school’s curriculum and ethos of pupil centred education.”

As well as the joint video above, each school involved made their own:

Find out more about this project on the Radius Housing website

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