Stephen Dallas, Chair of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) and Chief Executive Officer for regional youth work organisation, The Bytes Project has been appointed as the new CEO of leading peace building charity, Co-operation Ireland.
For over 20-years, Stephen has held senior leadership roles in organisations that support vulnerable young people – first in statutory services and now in the community and voluntary sectors where he advocates on funding challenges, policy issues and cross-sector collaboration.
Formerly, he was the Head of Regional Youth Service at the Education Authority in NI and CEO of the Youth Work Alliance, a membership organisation supporting more than 140 youth work projects.
In March 2026, Stephen became Chair of NICVA; the primary membership and representative umbrella body for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in NI.
He has been CEO of The Bytes Project since 2021; a youth work organisation, specialising in developing youth spaces and the community infrastructure they require, peace building and a broad range of digital inclusion initiatives.
In addition to organisational leadership, his skills set also includes developing high performing teams, strategic planning, complex project management and income generation.
Stephen is ideally placed to lead Co-operation Ireland; a charity whose mission is to ‘Bring People Together so Peace Can Prosper’ and to support its three key strategic pillars - Youth, Community and Leadership.
Stephen said: “I am delighted to be joining Co-operation Ireland as Chief Executive. For decades, this organisation has led the way in building peace and cohesion across the island of Ireland, and my first commitment is to keep leading that work.
“Peace must be practically felt in people’s lives. That means deepening our relationships with grass roots communities, building partnerships at every level of civil society, and maintaining the standards of governance and financial resilience required to thrive.
“Co-operation Ireland has a talented team, a respected reputation and a mission that matters as much now as at any point in its history. I am looking forward to getting started."
Sir Julian King, Chairman of the Board of Co-operation Ireland welcomed Mr Dallas’s appointment:
“Stephen joins us at a time of immense societal and political change across these islands. Now, more than ever, Co-operation Ireland needs to bring people together. His extensive experience in leadership and working in youth services, makes him the ideal candidate, to lead our peacebuilding organisation into its next chapter.”
Mr. Dallas succeeds outgoing CEO, Ian Jeffers. He takes up his appointment in Autumn 2026.