International Fund for Ireland (IFI) delegates visited Tullyarvan Mill, Buncrana last Friday as guests of the Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP), at the official launch of the C.H.A.N.C.E. project.
The C.H.A.N.C.E. project is a youth development programme that aims to provide personal one-to-one support for young people from Inishowen who are not currently in employment, education or training and want to explore different options that might be open to them in life.
They help young people develop good relations and life skills that will aid them in achieving their full development potential, which is captured in the project’s name, ‘C.H.A.N.C.E.’, that stands for ‘Creating Hope and Aspirations, Nurturing Change and Empowerment’.
The initiative is funded by the IFI’s Personal Youth Development Programme.
Speaking at the launch of the event, Helen Nolan, Chairperson of IDP, said: “It’s always a privilege to have the opportunity to welcome international visitors to Inishowen and to showcase the achievements of our great community.”
Paddy Harte, Chairman of the IFI, officially launched the C.H.A.N.C.E. project and said: “Based on IDP’s achievements as part of the first two phases of the C.H.A.N.C.E. project, we are delighted to have committed further funding to the project in 2022, bringing our total commitment to date €345,968 since 2018.
“This commitment clearly recognises the work and dedication of IDP’s staff and Board members and their ongoing contribution to peace development work in the peninsula and beyond.
“Our hope is that, through projects like C.H.A.N.C.E., a new generation of young people, through their skills, abilities and talent, can realise their personal potential while contributing to the ongoing peace building work supported by the International Fund for Ireland at a local community level.”
He also acknowledged the generous ongoing support of international partners and donors that attended the event, that have made projects like C.H.A.N.C.E. possible.
Shauna McClenaghan, joint CEO of IDP highlighted the achievements of the C.H.A.N.C.E. projects and the benefits to young people that have already participated in the programme.
“The project supports young people who, for one reason or another, may not have had an opportunity in life so far to achieve their full potential, to develop new skills, to find a full time or part-time job, to progress in education or simply to explore the different options available to them in life,” she said.
“The programme is understanding, supportive and we have designed the project to respond to the specific needs of young people from Inishowen.”
The project includes a wide range of personal advice, mentoring, training, work-experience, team building, personal development activities and other supports that are designed to meet each person’s personal needs.
To find out further information about the C.H.A.N.C.E. project, please contact Eileen Hegarty at Inishowen Development Partnership’s offices in Buncrana by phoning 07493 62218 or email eileen@inishowen.ie.
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