Our Story
Youth Link NI was born in 1991, in the shadow of the The Troubles—a time when division shaped everyday life across Northern Ireland.
In the midst of that reality, church leaders made a courageous and countercultural choice: to come together, rather than remain apart.
They believed that young people deserved a different future—one not defined by conflict, but shaped by hope, understanding, and shared purpose.
So they formed Youth Link NI. A partnership rooted in unity, committed to equipping youth leaders, and dedicated to building peace through youth work and ministry.
What began as a bold act of collaboration has grown into an organisation that pursues the common good through faith-based youth work and peace and reconciliaton initiatives.
Today, Youth Link NI continues to bring churches together to:
-
empower and equip leaders in youth work and ministry
-
support young people to flourish
-
contribute to a more peaceful and just society
Because the vision that sparked in 1991 still drives us forward:
a belief that, together, we can help shape a better future for the next generation.
Our Vision
Youth Link has a vision of "Churches working together to empower and equip leaders in youth work and ministry, to help build a peaceful and just world, in which young people can flourish."
Our Mission at Youth Link is to:
Empower leaders through training in youth work and ministry, equipping them with the knowledge,
skills, and
resources needed to help young people flourish in a more peaceful and just world.
Serve as witnesses of churches working interdependently by advocating for young people, championing
youth work and ministry, and upholding gospel values of peace, justice, and reconciliation in
pursuit of the common good.
Our Values
The Christian Faith is central to our values and approach and compels us to:
Foster a spirit of welcome and hospitality
Embrace the transformative power of education and lifelong learning
Love young people and create opportunities for them to live life to the full
Value the dignity and worth of every human being
Act fairly, embrace diversity and work interdependently
Be a peacemaker and an ambassador of reconciliation
Act justly, love mercifully and walk humbly
Bring the Good News and be a source of hope and
hold an optimistic stance in the world