This project is designed for young people aged 16–24-year-old who are not in full time education, employment or training and are unsure of what to do next.

What is the CHANCE Project?

C.H.A.N.C.E – ‘Creating Hopes & Aspirations Nurturing Change & Empowerment’.

The CHANCE Project aims to help young people build and develop life skills that foster good relations, build confidence, and make them more employable. The project supports those aged 16-25, who are not currently in education, training or employment. CHANCE participants will receive one-to-one & group-based supports to access alternative pathways that are built around their strengths, interests & at their own pace. CHANCE project recognises that every young person deserves an equal opportunity and chance in life.

Supports planned include:

  • Personal mentoring and personal development support (one to one). Building trust, confidence & mapping each young person’s needs, aspirations and strengths.
  • Good relations training through OCN accredited courses. Promoting awareness of self and an understanding of identities within the border region. CHANCE incorporates cross border engagements and educational visits. These visits will provide young people with understanding of ongoing peace development work, connect with other PYDP projects, and learn about new opportunities emerging in the ‘North West City Region’.
  • CHANCE also explores educational pathways for young people to access new learning opportunities. Supports includes: career guidance, research support, setting up meetings, facilitating attendance at open days/employer talks & application support.
  • CHANCE explores access to employment opportunities (full-time/part-time) through supports with work experience, apprenticeship programmes, and job search & application supports. Supports include: CV preparation, job search support, interview preparation, supporting attendance at interview. CHANCE will take a regional view of employment opportunities, looking at Inishowen, Donegal and Derry.
  • CHANCE supports young people to develop skills through accredited & unaccredited training. Training may include: Customer Services, Barista training, HACCAP (Food Safety), Food and Nutrition (QQI Level 4), Applying for Driver’s Theory/Lessons, Literacy & Numeracy, ICT & Digital Skills, Childcare/Eldercare, others.
  • Based on each young person’s personal pathway, CHANCE will offer suitable programmes such as, ‘Health & Safety in the Workplace’, ‘First Aid’, ‘Child and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding’, ‘Internet Safety’ and non-accredited courses such as ‘Managing Money’.
  • CHANCE also examines opportunities around volunteering in the community or getting involved in development work.

History & Need for the project:

The CHANCE Project is managed by the Inishowen Development Partnership and funded by the International Fund for Ireland. The project has been operating since February 2018 & re-started March 2022. The project aims to tackle the barriers and challenges present within the Inishowen society for young people.

As a border county, we are still dealing with the impact and legacy of the past. Inishowen has been impacted economically, socially, politically and culturally, by the events that happened throughout the Troubles. The CHANCE Project recognises the need for continuing good relations work in the Inishowen peninsula & the crucial role that role people can make to the community as future community development workers and leaders.

There are few key social and economic trends that give rise to the need for programmes such as, CHANCE. Some of these trends include:

  • A history of early school leaving in Inishowen with high rates of people having left school with no formal or a primary education only.
  • Lower than national rates of progression to 3rd level education
  • Intergenerational dependence on the social welfare system in the face of low jobs supply. 
  • High rates of youth unemployment and under-employment.
  • Youth migration and emigration from the area – due to limited life or career choices – jobs are low paid, unskilled, non-professional.
  • A high incidence of unpaid caring – including young people providing care.
  • A high incidence of young people parenting alone – with limited affordable childcare options.
  • A high incidence of drug and alcohol misuse.

In the face of some of these issues, it is easy to understand how some young people from Inishowen can gain a negative outlook on their future. This is why the CHANCE Project seeks to support young people to create their own pathway and grow their confidence and resilience. The CHANCE Project aims to create a sense of pride for young people of our people, place and progress of Inishowen.

To find out further information about the C.H.A.N.C.E project, please contact Eileen at Inishowen Development Partnership’s offices in Buncrana by phoning 07493 62218 or email [email protected]