As we continue to mark our 45th anniversary In 2024 by exploring our history through 45 meaningful items, Item Number Two is The National Citizen Service Mug , a symbol of the transformative impact we’ve had on young lives through the inspiring NCS Programme.

From 2012 to 2022, Co-operation Ireland proudly operated the NCS in Northern Ireland, in collaboration with the Department for Communities.

NCS, a UK-wide youth program founded in 2009, became a Royal Charter body in December 2019, securing its status as a national institution with the support of the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS).

Since its inception in 2009, over 750,000 young people have participated in NCS nationwide. In Northern Ireland, our collaboration with six dedicated partners, including Start360, YouthAction Northern Ireland, VolunteerNow, Belfast YMCA, Youthworks NI, and St Columb’s Park House, formed the NI NCS delivery dream team.

The NI NCS Programme played a pivotal role in fostering life and work skills, empowering young individuals with tools such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. Beyond skills development, the program contributed to redirecting many youths away from criminal or anti-social behavior.

While NCS is not currently operating in NI, its legacy lives on through our Future Leaders Programme, a testament to the foundations laid during this transformative decade.

Corinna Crooks, who managed NCS for CI over the ten years, said, “Delivering the NCS programme in Northern Ireland was transformative and one of the things I’m most proud of when I think of what we have delivered in Co-operation Ireland.

“Working with such experienced and passionate partners and a huge operation like NCS Trust, I not only acquired a wealth of skills and knowledge but also got to experience the joy in positively shaping the lives of countless young people.

“The outcomes for them over the years of NI NCS delivery are a testament to the enduring impact we can have when passion, purpose, and partnership converge.”

#45in45