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Start360 named as nation partner in £1.5M Synergy programme

Start360 has been announced as a nation partner in Synergy — a bold, five-year programme led by Youth Focus North West (YFNW) and powered by £1.5 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, the UK’s largest community funder.

Thanks to National Lottery players, this investment will strengthen youth voice, participation, and collaboration across the UK — starting in the North West of England and now reaching Northern Ireland.

Together with YFNW, we’ll work to:

  • Provide training and support for youth sector staff
  • Create safe, inclusive spaces for young people to express their views
  • Enable young people to shape services and influence decisions that affect their lives

This partnership builds on years of youth-led work in Northern Ireland — where young people have consistently spoken up about their rights, their communities, and the changes they want to see. Synergy gives us more tools, more support, and more opportunities to be heard and involved.

A message from YFNW CEO, Stuart Dunne:

“This funding marks a major milestone — not just for our organisation, but for youth voice across the UK. For years, we’ve championed participation from training youth workers and building networks, to embedding the Lundy Model of Participation to ensure young people are meaningfully involved.

“Synergy builds on that foundation. It strengthens our commitment to inclusive practice, sector collaboration, and youth-led change — ensuring young people are not only heard, but actively shaping the world around them.”

As a nation partner, we’re excited to help deliver the Lundy Model of Participation in Northern Ireland — making sure organisations listen, involve, and act on what young people say to improve communities and services.

Danny McQuillan, CEO of Start360, said:

“We are proud to join Synergy as its Northern Ireland nation partner. As we launch Start360’s new strategy, this partnership reflects both our ambition for the future and our commitment to ensuring young people have a meaningful voice in the decisions and services that affect their lives. By working alongside young people, Youth Focus North West and organisations across the youth sector, we can strengthen participation, amplify lived experience and help turn young people’s voices into lasting change.”

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