A cross community group of young people from Northern Ireland got together and established a steering committee with the view to planning a bilateral exchange in Europe. They sought to establish a group within Newry and Mourne area as part of SELB Youth Service, link in with Newry & Mourne Youth Council, find a partner and plan, help organise and manage all aspects of the programme. The group now has 14 members, 7 male 7 female, 7 Catholic, 7 Protestant, all aged 16-20 and 2 youth leaders. They named their group Y.E.P.I.E (Youth Exchange Programme In Europe). They searched for a partner who would engage in a programme where they would explore how your politics, history, sport, culture shapes and influences your identity. They found a partner in Bavaria, Germany who were very experienced in exchanges and had a history of links with Northern Ireland. They had previously completed exchanges several years with Brownlow Area Youth Project in Craigavon, which is a controlled youth centre within SELB Youth Service. The feedback was so positive from Craigavon that they contacted the group in Bavaria and established a new link. This is a new opportunity for this Newry and Mourne group as they have never participated in a bi-lateral exchange in Europe before and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them. Its also a great opportunity for us in the Youth Service in the SELB as its been several years since we engaged in exchanges. Our YEPIE group completed their own prejudice awareness programme in preparation for this exchange to look at their own values and beliefs, perceptions of others and our shared history in Northern Ireland. They will look to build their relationship with their partners over a time before they meet in person through social media, emails and skype. An advanced planning visit for one leader and one youth for our group is planned to help manage the logistics and practicalities of the programme. Key Objectives of the programme: -To build a relationship with a European counterpart and raise awareness about EU citizenship and the rights that go with it, promoting participation in democratic life in Europe. - To educate young people on how politics, sport, culture, traditions and background shape our identity and to explore how we can compare and contrast these experiences with our partner group in Bavaria - To engage young people in personal, social and educational learning opportunities to increase and enhance self-esteem, self-confidence, aspirations and achievement. - To improve the level of key competences and skills of young people by supporting the programme to be youth led, implemented and managed by youth throughout the process. Our group have put together a challenging and rewarding programme for the exchange. It will continue where it has been from the beginning, youth led. They want to host the group first and this will be 9 days including travel, 01-09 Aug 2015. They will lead with icebreakers, games and information and orientation sessions. There will be alot of team building including using outdoor education as we are hosting first. Our youth will introduce the group to our experiences of growing up in a divided society and living with the legacy of the conflict. There will be political tours, visits to educational venues such as Titanic Centre and Crumlin Road Jail. We will also explore democracy with visits and talks with our local council and our government buildings in Belfast. Our identity is hugely tied into our sports and music and this will be explored alongside workshops reviewing our commonalities with the Bavarian group and experiences of racism and sectarianism in both countries. Our group are very keen for young people from our partner group to visit their homes and experience family life over a cooked meal. All aspects of this programme have been designed by our youth and many will be delivered by the youths themselves. There is a good mix of educational workshops and visits, youth led activities, presentations, outdoor education and experiential learning in this programme. We have planned to visit Bavaria 17-25 August 2015 with the advanced planning visit early 2015. This programme will provide our youth with new skills in programme management, greater awareness of sectarianism and racism in two countries, greater awareness of democracy and youth voice in both countries and challenge their perceptions of others, have myths dispelled and lead to greater understanding and acceptance of others. It will also enhance their employability and their understanding of how your identity is shaped by your culture and history.