Through the 'Cut our Carbon' project, young people aged 4 to 16 will be involved in actions and programmes, which will both disseminate information but also encourage practical action across a number of broad environmental themes.

The entire programme will last 6 months, beginning in April and finishing in September. As well as practical outcomes, in terms of lifestyle change, the project has other key impacts, including enhancing the role of young people in the village, developing partnership working with other agencies and bodies and ultimately helping Balnamore to become a more caring and sustainable village.

The programme has been divided into a simple 4-step plan:
Step 1 – Have you got the energy?
Step 2 – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Step 3 – Get on your bike…or feet!
Step 4 – Water waste and smart shopping
While these are the broad headings, there are a number of activities planned under each theme. Young people will drive this project forward and the local community will see considerable activity over the coming months. This will also serve to improve inter-generational relationships.

Actions will include: Promotion of Eco Energy(Green Energy Tariff] – every household signing up will receive low energy light bulbs and prevent 2 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year. Fuel poverty road show aimed at mums and mature citizens. Junior Youth Club, assisted by Seniors, will make draft excluders for distribution to mature citizens. A 'Low Energy Day' when the village will be encouraged to reduce the amount of energy used. A mini recycling centre in the Community Centre for the collection of Tetra Paks, glasses, printer cartridges, stamps and textiles; with draws monthly for everyone using the facility. Senior members will organise promotional days at the local Community Recycling Facility, with activities for young children and information on what happens to all the materials. Young people will benefit from a short briefing session delivered by the Council's Recycling Officer. All Youth Club members will help make worm composters to be used as prizes in the recycling draws. Shopping bags made from recycled materials will be used to promote the scheme.

Textile recycling with Oxfam Ireland, part of a specific programme looking at the effects of climate poverty across the world. Encouraging parents to walk to school and carrying out simple experiments looking at air quality. Raising awareness of locally grown food and 'food miles'. Promoting fair-trade by developing a sales point in the community centre. Encouraging smart shopping. Making and distributing efficient watering devices and Distributing water saving 'hippos'.

During the course of the project, the Youth Club will be working with a range of partners to deliver their aims and objectives. Again, young people will take these relationships forward.
Helen Beckett, Chair of the Mill Youth Club welcomed the new project: "For some time now, we have been looking at ways of involving young people in village and community life. This project will allow this to happen and will also help make Balnamore a better village for everyone. We are particularly grateful to the eaga Foundation for their very generous contribution to the project, managed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. This will help us make sustainable living a reality in Balnamore!"

Declan Donnelly, Recycling and Education officer, Ballymoney Borough Council added: "As a partner in this, it is great to see the Mill Youth Club taking the lead in encouraging adults to make better choices.

This is not about force or telling people what to do. People will have the information, which will help them make informed choices and hopefully when all the facts are explained, they will make different choices. I also wish to acknowledge the role of Zoë Campbell, a placement student from Dalriada, who assisted the group in developing some of the ideas."

For more information on the project, please contact the Mill Youth Club or Declan Donnelly, Ballymoney Borough Council on 2766 0257