The Living Memory Project, from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), was launched in Belfast last week. 

Supported by the World War One Centenary Committee in Northern Ireland, the launch heard how the project aims to encourage locals to visit the 2,700 war graves of both world wars found in Northern Ireland in 400 cemeteries and burial grounds.

The Living Memory Project as a whole is designed to raise awareness of the 300,000 CWGC war graves and commemorations in the UK.

This year, the CWGC, in partnership with Big Ideas Company, are asking the public to re-connect with the war dead buried in their communities. CWGC wants the public to visit these sites, take a personal interest in those buried there, organise a commemoration of their own and ultimately, champion these places - tell their friends or other local community groups that these war graves must not be forgotten.

In 2015, a range of community groups including schools, libraries, sports clubs, history groups, youth organisations, veterans and community associations took part in a pilot scheme.

At the start of the trial, only 47 percent of participants were aware of CWGC sites in the UK, but by the end of the project, 100 percent could name a local site.

CLICK HERE for more information on the project and to become involved.