Three Fermanagh Youth Clubs have been recognised at a prestigious youth awards ceremony held in Lisburn. for their commitment and success in celebrating the achievements of young people and youth workers.

Irvinestown Youth Club and Age Concern Intergenerational group were runners-up in the Innovation category, while Sinéad McAroe from Ederney was named runner-up in the volunteer category, and Derrylin Youth Group was runner-up in the Peace Building category.

The awards are sponsored by the Department of Education, Youth Council for Northern Ireland and the Health Promotion Agency. Now in its third year, they are open to both individuals and groups across seven categories - volunteering, peace building, innovation, international work, inclusion, health promotion work and outstanding achievement.

Karen Witherspoon, from the Youth Council for Northern Ireland said young people and those working within the Youth Service had made a huge contribution to their local communities.

"Young people within the age range of the youth service make up nearly a third of the population of Northern Ireland', he explained, " and around 35% of those will be actively involved in some form of youth service. There is also an extensive network of around 20,000 adult volunteers and paid youth workers, and we knew that some really innovative and ground-breaking work was being undertaken".

"Research," he went on, "has consistently shown that involvement in youth work has a positive impact on the social and personal development of young people, and this is very important if they are to realise their full potential.

"These awards are a chance to celebrate the positive work being carried out and to raise awareness among the public of the contribution young people make to society."

The event was also attended by Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, who congratulated the finalists for their valuable contribution that had a positive effect on the social and personal development of young people in helping them realise their full potential.

The Irvinestown project brought young people and local pensioners together to undertake a heritage project. It involved researching local history and making a model of their own town. Intergenerational bonds were established which fostered respect between the age ranges while allowing the participants to discover and express their creative abilities and learn more about their home town.

Meanwhile in Ederney, Sinéad McAroe has been the chairperson of the Fermanagh Young Peoples' Council for two years. She was recognised for giving up her free time to hold meetings and provide opportunities for young people over 15 to have a voice in local youth affairs.

Derrylin Youth Group, made up of 10 young women, came together after their Youth Club closed down to undertake a community relations project, as an alternative to the Club. This developed into an exchange with a host group from London, giving them a chance to broaden their horizons and participate in cultural diversity activities.