Belfast Harbour has joined SistersIN as a Development Partner for the 2026/27 programme year and will host the programme’s inaugural Mentor event on Tuesday 10 November.
SistersIN is delighted to welcome Belfast Harbour as a Development Partner for the 2026/27 programme year, strengthening its network of organisations committed to supporting young women across Northern Ireland to build confidence, develop leadership skills and realise their potential.
Through this partnership, Belfast Harbour will support SistersIN in creating meaningful opportunities for both mentees and mentors. As part of its involvement, Belfast Harbour will host SistersIN’s inaugural Mentor event on Tuesday 10th November, bringing mentors together for an opportunity to connect, share experiences and invest in their own personal and professional development.
SistersIN is a leadership development programme for young women aged 16–18 across Northern Ireland. Through one-to-one mentoring, leadership development modules and pupil-led projects, participants are supported to build confidence, explore new opportunities and develop transferable skills that will benefit them in their future lives and careers.
Belfast Harbour’s support reflects its wider commitment to community engagement, skills development and creating opportunities across Northern Ireland. As a major economic hub for the region, Belfast Harbour provides a valuable connection to the breadth of industries, skills and career pathways available to young women, supporting SistersIN’s ambition to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
The Mentor event on 10th November will recognise the important contribution mentors make to the SistersIN programme. By providing the venue, Belfast Harbour is helping create space for mentors to come together in person, hear from speakers, exchange ideas and focus on their own development. The event will also provide an opportunity to celebrate the people who give their time, knowledge and experience to help young women build confidence and realise their potential.
Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners Dr Theresa Donaldson said:
"We’re proud to become a Development Partner of SistersIN and support a programme that empowers young women to build confidence, develop their leadership skills and explore new opportunities for the future.
“Investing in the next generation of talent is important to Northern Ireland’s future, and we’re pleased to play a role in helping young women realise their potential. The values at the heart of SistersIN align closely with our own commitment and activities to support women and girls through mentorship, professional development and opportunities to grow. This initiative complements a range of other development schemes undertaken by our People Team.
“We’re also delighted to host SistersIN’s inaugural Mentor event, recognising the valuable contribution mentors make in supporting and inspiring the next generation."
Ella Rourke, Partnerships Manager at SistersIN, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Belfast Harbour as a Development Partner for the 2026/27 programme year. Support from organisations across Northern Ireland is vital to helping us create meaningful opportunities for young women to build confidence, develop their leadership skills and explore new possibilities for their futures.
“We’re particularly grateful to Belfast Harbour for hosting our inaugural Mentor event. Our mentors play an incredibly important role in the programme, giving their time, knowledge and experience to support the next generation. Creating opportunities for mentors to connect with one another, share experiences and invest in their own development is an important part of strengthening the wider SistersIN community. Belfast Harbour’s support will help us bring this to life.”
The partnership comes as SistersIN continues to expand its reach across Northern Ireland, working with participating schools and other delivery settings alongside a growing network of mentors and business partners, all contributing to the development of confident, capable and ambitious young women.
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