Millennium Volunteers was launched in Northern Ireland in 1999 as part of a UK wide initiative by the Labour government to develop a 'National Citizens Service' to promote and recognise sustained volunteering among 16 to 24 year olds.
In Northern Ireland the programme is funded by the Department of Education. Since 1999 over 3,660 young people have participated in the programme in Northern Ireland with over 1,435 receiving their Award of Excellence for 200 hours of voluntary work.
The Millennium Volunteers Programme aims to offer challenges and opportunities for young people to participate, learn and develop; to set a standard for voluntary opportunities for young people; to increase recognition for volunteering as an expression of citizenship and to make a positive impact within local communities. The programme does this through nine principles, which are, sustained personal commitment, community benefit, voluntary participation, inclusiveness, ownership by young people, variety, partnership, quality and recognition.
Millennium Volunteers is the only specific, regional, volunteering programme for young people funded directly by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland.
© Volunteer Development Agency 2008, 129 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 1SH
T: 028 9023 6100 F: 028 9023 7570 E: info@volunteering-ni.org