Inishowen Development Partnership has received €147,100 support from the International Fund for Ireland to deliver a two-year youth development project
The project, entitled, Creating Hope and Aspirations Nurturing Change and Empowerment ‘CHANCE’, will be supported under the International Fund for Ireland’s Personal Youth Development Programme (PYDP).
The IFI was set up by the British and Irish governments as an independent organisation in 1986. It delivers a range of peace and reconciliation initiatives across Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.
Ireland’s Personal Youth Development Programme (PYDP) targets the most at risk young people who have complex backgrounds including leaving education early, are vulnerable to paramilitary recruitment, suffer from substance abuse, poor mental health issues, have been affected by homelessness and have been or close to the criminal justice system.
PYDP projects connect young people to personalised routes to learning, skills and employment opportunities. This tailored approach helps improve confidence and personal resilience, develop a better understanding of culture and identity and develop practical skills that improve employment prospects.
This funding will help the project deliver a comprehensive programme under three key areas of Personal Development and Good Relations, Skills and Social Development and Education and Employability Development.
Participants will have opportunities to collaborate and learn through a cross-community and cross-border approach. They will also follow tailored personal development plans that include life skills, communications, self-confidence and self-esteem workshops. A range of courses will also be offered so young people can develop job ready skills at the end of the programme. Courses cover a wide range of topics from food and nutrition and customer services to hospitality, tourism and childcare.
The project team will work closely with individuals throughout the programme to offer mentoring and career guidance as well as identify experience and job opportunities with local businesses in the area.
IFI Chairperson and Donegal Native Paddy Harte said; “Peace building in any context is a slow process, but we are committed to supporting and empowering communities. Over the last 35 years, we have achieved a lot by implementing innovative programmes and initiatives aimed at tackling the most difficult issues and reaching out to marginalised communities.
“There is still however much work to be done as we continue to work against an incredibly challenging backdrop of instability where many simply feel that the Peace Process has alienated them and left their communities behind.
“Through our work we believe that continued partnership and collaboration will enable communities to evolve and ultimately create better lives and futures for all. Our work is more important than ever, and we are greatly encouraged by the difference our projects are making at a grass roots level daily.
“Difficult conversations have resulted in the removal of Peace Walls, some which have stood for more than 40 years. In the last year alone, we have diverted more than 3,000 young people away from paramilitary recruitment, with more than 3,200 young people achieving a range of accreditations and a further 528 in further education and training.
“This latest support package of £476,469 / €538,410 will provide much needed support, benefiting communities who need intervention the most. ”
The Chairman also took the opportunity to thank the international donors who contribute to the Fund – the European Union and the Governments of the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
