Buncrana074 93 62218
Carndonagh074 93 73083

The CHANCE Project

The Chance Project is funded by the International Fund for Ireland. This is a wrap-around support programme offered to young people aged 16-25 who are not in full-time Education, Training, or Employment.

Referral process:

Participants can self-refer or be referred by their old school, youth workers, family support worker or other support agency.  The initial conversation with them (with them and their parents or guardians if under 18 years of age) focuses on their strengths and their world – where they are right now.

Exploring what their interests are and what they want to do the Chance Projects creates a safe space and place for them to meet peers as well as plan a pathway for themselves with the coordinator. 

In the past Chance participants have gone to train in areas such as car mechanics, security, early years, banking, etc. and have found work experience and jobs because of this. They continue to be supported until they are ready to move on. 

To apply directly for the current CHANCE please download the application below and email it back to Barry@inishowen.ie or call him on 0867966525 for enquiries

IDP CHANCE Application Form 2025Download

If you would like to refer someone for the programme download and send it to Barry@inishowen.ie or call us on 0749362218 for more information

IDP CHANCE Referral Form 2025Download

First Aid Training

 

 

Restorative Practice Training

Supports include:

  • Personal mentoring and personal development support
  • Good relations training through OCN accredited courses.
  • Promoting awareness of self and an understanding of identities within the border region.
  • Career guidance including CV preparation, job search support, interview preparation, etc
  • Work experience, apprenticeship programmes,
  • Training including  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.
  •  Health and Safety programmes, First Aid, Child and  Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding’,
  • Volunteering opportunities

CHANCE participants after taking part in Co- facilitated Child Protection Training in Spraoi agus Sport

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.

Staff Contact Details:

  • Family Resource Centres – Donegal Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are located within a community-based model of family support – Moville & District Family Resource Centre Market Square, Moville Phone: 074 9385548 Email: info@movillefrc.com https://movillefrc.yolasite.com/

There are Foróige clubs across Donegal. For more information on individual clubs and projects, visit the Foróige map: https://www.foroige.ie/foroige-map

Connect Mental Health is a community mental health organisation promoting positive mental health in Donegal. Connect Mental Health Email: info@connectmentalhealth.ie Website: http://www.connectmentalhealth.ie/

iCARE Ltd is a local parent-run organisation which provides respite, training, support and information for families who have children with autism from the Inishowen region of Donegal – iCARE Day Respite & Activity Centre, Looking Glass Brae, Ballymacarry, Buncrana Phone: 074 9362226 Email centremanager@icare.ie https://icare.ie/