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Co-operation Ireland

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Co-operation Ireland's vision is to work towards an island of communities that are at peace with themselves.

24/08/2026

Taking the Tayto Test today are Cody Mills and Bethan Fraser who are participating in our Co-operation Ireland Future Leaders Silver and Gold Award Residential in Carlingford.

Big debates and not a lot of consensus among the group of 25 young people if it will be or ?

Our Future Leaders Programme is an all-island initiative bringing young people together to develop cross-border and cross-community peace building and leadership skills.

It’s a packed itinerary coming from Centre Carlingford and more to follow.

Castle, Tandragee or Snacks, Co Meath?

You decide!

21/08/2026

Wishing 18-year-old Zoe Fleming from Dublin the very best of all-island luck for her Leaving Cert results today.

Zoe, is one of our Future Leaders Programme star performers. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Since 2023, she has risen through the ranks securing Bronze and Silver Awards, going on to achieve Gold in April; an investment of three years.

"If there was a Platinum category, I’d do that too,” she said.

Our Future Leaders Programme is an all-island initiative which empowers young people and builds cross-border and cross-community peace building skills.

Zoe, a student at St Mary’s Secondary School in Glasnevin said: “The programme developed my confidence. I got to know so many new people and made great friends from NI. We spent hours talking about the similarities and differences between Belfast and Dublin.

“We debated about our school systems, the difference in policing, the problems in our communities and of course we argued over the ’Tayto’ test and which part of the island makes the better crisps!

“We got to run social action campaigns and present them at Stormont and the Dail including a campaign for the deaf and visually impaired which we called ’See our Silence: Hear our Vision. It was an amazing experience."

The good news is, Future Leaders is back with its first Silver and Gold team building residential taking place in Carlingford this weekend. We’ll be posting (almost) live from the Adventure Centre on Monday on how our next Future Leaders are getting on.

Castle, Tandragee or Snacks, Co Meath?

You decide!

20/08/2026

THE WINNERS TAKE IT ALL AND THIS YEAR IT COULD BE YOU!

Are you an entrepreneur with an interest in cross-border trade, innovation and collaboration?

The countdown is on to this year’s Stelios Philanthropic Foundation Foundation North-South Business Cooperation Awards Ireland in partnership with Co-operation Ireland.

Last year 18 entrepreneurs who demonstrated an interest in fostering peace and stability through developing economic North South ties benefited from cash prizes totalling a massive €500,000.

There’s a Gold Award for the top prize winner worth €150,000, a Silver Award of €100,000 for two runners up and Bronze Awards of €25,000 each for six teams. To find out if you are eligible and apply follow the link here.

https://stelios.foundation/stelios-north-south-business-cooperation-awards/

Entry deadline is September 7th. If you are not in, you can’t win.

It’s Easy!

19/08/2026

A huge welcome to Rebecca Coney, who takes up her new role as Programme Manager for Co-operation Ireland’s IPB Pride of Place Community Awards.

She joins, just in time for the 24th awards ceremony in October celebrating some of the incredible work undertaken by our island-wide local communities. This year’s gala event takes place in the Dublin Convention Centre where Rebecca will be on the ground helping ensure all goes smoothly.

Rebecca joins us from the Wave Trauma Centre where she was a Residential Case Worker. Her professional background is rooted in social work, counselling, psychotherapy and sensitive case management making her an ideal fit for Co-operation Ireland’s peace building and community work.

Currently completing a Master’s Degree in Psychotherapy, in her spare time, Rebecca also supports her family-owned counselling services business.

Carol Dunbar, Head of Civic Society, Co-operation Ireland said: “Rebecca brings a broad skill set to the role including exceptional project and event management capability as well as a huge amount of passion and enthusiasm. We know she is going to make a difference.”

Rebecca. Let’s Go!

18/08/2026

Stephen Dallas Appointed CEO Co-operation Ireland

Stephen Dallas, Chair of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) and Chief Executive Officer for regional youth work organisation, The Bytes Project has been appointed as the new CEO of leading peace building charity, Co-operation Ireland.

For over 20-years, Stephen has held senior leadership roles in organisations that support vulnerable young people. Formerly, he was the Head of Regional Youth Service at the Education Authority in NI and CEO of the Youth Work Alliance. In March 2026, Stephen became Chair of NICVA.

He has been CEO of The Bytes Project since 2021; a youth work organisation, specialising in developing youth spaces and the community infrastructure they require, peace building and a broad range of digital inclusion initiatives.

Stephen said: “I am delighted to be joining Co-operation Ireland as Chief Executive. For decades, this organisation has led the way in building peace and cohesion across the island of Ireland, and my first commitment is to keep leading that work.

“Peace must be practically felt in people’s lives. That means deepening our relationships with grass roots communities, building partnerships at every level of civil society, and maintaining the standards of governance and financial resilience required to thrive.

“Co-operation Ireland has a talented team, a respected reputation and a mission that matters as much now as at any point in its history. I am looking forward to getting started."

Sir Julian King, Co-operation Ireland Chair said:

“Stephen joins us at a time of immense societal and political change across these islands. Now, more than ever, Co-operation Ireland needs to bring people together. His extensive experience in leadership and working in youth services, makes him the ideal candidate, to lead our peacebuilding organisation into its next chapter.”

He takes up his appointment in the Autumn.

12/08/2026

Do you work with children & young people?

Join OUR Generation partner Co-operation Ireland for their upcoming Inclusion and Wellbeing Shared Learning Event this October.

A full day of in-person connection and discussion for youth workers and other professionals touching on subjects such as community inclusion, accessibility, compassion fatigue and more!

📅 15 October | 🕘 9am–4:30pm | 📍 Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges.

Book your place now using the link in the comments...

Special EU Programmes Body - SEUPB

10/08/2026

Could you go for gold? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Belfast born, Juice Jar scooped the top prize of €150,000 last year at the inaugural Stelios Philanthropic Foundation Foundation North-South Business Cooperation Awards Ireland in partnership with Co-operation Ireland.

And this year. It might be you!

The top award went to founder Sam Shephard for ‘demonstrating the power of ideas that work both North and South; for creating jobs, delivering services and setting an example for the next generation of entrepreneurs encouraging them to see the entire island of Ireland as a place of opportunity.’

Awarding him the top prize out of a total fund of €500,000, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou; philanthropist and founder of the Easy empire said: “The winners we honour today show that when determination, innovation and creativity meet, borders become bridges.”

If you are an entrepreneur building a successful business and collaborating across borders and communities to create prosperity for all, find out more about the awards and conditions to apply here.

https://stelios.foundation/stelios-north-south-business-cooperation-awards/?

It’s Easy.

Note: September 7 is the deadline for application entries.

03/08/2026

At Co-operation Ireland our mission is to Bring People Together So Peace Can Prosper.

Would you like to join our team and play your part in creating a more cohesive and connected society across the island of Ireland?

We are looking for someone who is passionate about peace building, loves working with people and is interested in community development.

Are you able to take a trauma informed approach to conversations, turn data into insight, and play your role in implementing real change and influencing policy decisions for the better?

If you’ve got what it takes to be our Programme Executive for Voice Matters, Dialogue Hubs, we’d love to hear from you. To apply click on the link here http://cooperationireland.org/article/jobs

28/07/2026

CALLING ENTREPRENEURS WITH AN INTEREST IN CROSS-BORDER TRADE AND CO-OPERATION

Applying for this year’s Stelios Philanthropic Foundation’s North-South Awards couldn’t be simpler - thanks to Sir Stelios Haji-Ionnou; founder of the ‘Easy’ Empire.

He’s the businessman behind easyGroup, best known for low-cost airline easyJet who has expanded the brand into dozens of industries, and for the second year running, he wants to share some of his success with you!

Last year, nine entrepreneurs across the island of Ireland, who showed a flare for cross-border trade and co-operation benefited from a total prize fund of €500,000. The gold prize is €150,000. There are two silver awards of €100,000 and six bronze awards of €25,000.

The Stelios North-South Awards, in partnership with Co-operation Ireland, are up for grabs again. All you have to do is find out if you are eligible and apply here at www.stelios.foundation or on www.stelios.ie

It’s Easy.

Thank you, Sir Stelios; the easyGroup and Stelios Philanthropic Foundation for all you do to foster peace and prosperity through supporting bridge building entrepreneurship.

21/07/2026

We are honoured Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland has become the joint Patron of Co-operation Ireland with His Majesty King Charles III in a powerful expression of shared commitment to peace and friendship across the UK and Island of Ireland.

The announcement continues the tradition of the joint Head-of-State Patronage for Co-operation Ireland which was first established in 1995 by Queen Elizabeth II and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson. Since then, every serving President of Ireland has held the position of co-Patron whilst in office.

The President’s acceptance of the invitation signals the highest level of commitment to peace building and reconciliation across these islands.

The announcement follows Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland’s first, official three-day visit to the UK where she was received by King Charles III on May 18 at Buckingham Palace in London.

King Charles III graciously picked up the mantle of co-Patron following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and continues a partnership that has come to symbolise a deepening relationship between these islands and the spirit of reconciliation it is hoped will be sustained.

Speaking on behalf of Co-operation Ireland, Chairman, Sir Julian King, GCMG, KCVO, said:

“We are deeply honored to have Catherine Connolly; President of Ireland join King Charles III as co-Patron of our organisation. This marks the continued support at the highest level of our work that supports peace building, youth leadership, community, reconciliation, and cross-border co-operation and the values and vision that inspire it.

“It represents a powerful expression of shared commitment to peace and friendship and acts as a shining example of leadership at the highest level inspiring all our projects but, in particular, our youth focused initiatives such as the Future Leaders Programme, energising the next generation for years to come.”

To find out more about our non-political, peace building work in delivering a ‘shared and cohesive society across the island of Ireland,’ for over 45-years follow the link here https://www.cooperationireland.org/

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