Youth unemployment in N. Ireland is currently at 23%, young peoples health and well-being, suicide statistics and those suffering from depression are on a constant rise. Ongoing sectarian tensions and political uncertainty have enabled opposition groups to attract vulnerable young people into risky and criminal environments. There is a growing sense within our organisation and with the young people who direct our service that there is a high level of apathy amongst young people, a feeling that they are unable to change their own situation, a growing frustration with those who are meant to represent them and a clear structural barrier and meaningful opportunities to feel listened to. This has been the motivation for us wanting to develop this project and provide a series of structured opportunities for young people to begin to effect change. The main purpose of our project is to provide 8 structured opportunities for 36 young people from across N. Ireland aged 13-21 to meet with various key policy/decision makers. The project will be advertised as an NI Youth Congress, young people from all backgrounds, genders, social classes, cultures and identities coming together to discuss, debate and foster relationships with key decision makers in order to improve knowledge, develop skills and attitude and maintain meaningful dialogue which can bring about policy developments and changes on key issues which affect young people. The main objectives of this project include: 1. For young people to discuss and debate youth related issues with key decision makers in order to promote youth participation in their democratic life. 2. For young people to gain key skills in leadership, research, interpersonal skills, negotiation and entrepreneurship, through the planning, developing and delivery of the structured meetings. 3. To develop and harness youth empowerment as the key priority within structured dialogue. 4. To debate and tackle key issues such as youth unemployment, young peoples well being, social inclusion and young peoples place in society. 5. To engage with a range of key policy/decision makers in order to foster debates and discussions that lead to recommendations and improvements for young people. 6. Improve young peoples understanding of local, national and European decision-making and improve skills and knowledge of how to influence policy/decisions. 7. To improve the skills, knowledge and outlook of all young people involved with particular emphasis on those with fewer opportunities and disadvantaged.