Local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed the allocation of €217,472 under the Shared Island Initiative for a creative programme focussing on young people from Cavan and Down.

“Following an open call for applications, the project known as ‘Stitched Voices: A Shared Island Youth Textile Programme’ was successful in securing this substantial funding. The programme is led by Inspiring Yarns CIC and is a cross-border creative initiative bringing together young people from Cavan and Down to explore identity, community and belonging using textile art and collaborative creative practice.

“The project is funded under the Creative Youth Nurture Fund scheme, engaging specific groups of children and young people, who often experience barriers to creative opportunities.

“Creative arts can inspire and transform lives and I hope that this initiative will give young people on both sides of the the border the opportunity to develop relationships and to realise their full creative potential. This can have a real impact on personal development and future ambitions,” concluded Deputy Brendan Smith.