AN arts group based in Tavistock has scooped two awards to support an innovative programme of creative activities with young people.

The Indra Congress is an emerging, global network of young people, educators, artists and others who use the creative to build relationships across boundaries and barriers.

The Anna Lindh Foundation has awarded 35,000 euros to enable Indra groups of young people in Palestine, Northern Ireland and across the UK to train together and develop the skills and confidence to deal effectively with conflict in their lives. And Arts Council England (ACE) has also awarded Indra a grant to deliver a programme of 'Cooling Conflict' activities in primary schools in inner city Plymouth, to help children address issues of conflict and bullying.

Participants from these projects have been invited to share the experience of their projects at the 2013 Indra Global Congress in Derry/Londonderry, as part of the official UK City of Culture celebrations.

David Oddie, director of the Indra Congress, said, 'Indra is unashamedly idealistic in its aspiration to develop the arts as a resource for reconciliation, for challenging prejudice and stereotypes and for grassroots peacebuilding.

'These awards will help get us on our way.'

The Indra Congress works in partnership with the University of Plymouth. More information is available from the web-site: http://www.theindracongress.co.uk">www.theindracongress.co.uk or by email at [email protected]">[email protected]