Co-operation Ireland (Colre)

Co-operation Ireland (CoIre) is an NGO that works to sustain peace on the island of Ireland by helping to build a shared and cohesive society, addressing conflict risks and aiming to prevent vulnerable young people from engaging in sectarian hate crime and extremist/paramilitary activities. CoIre’s Youth Leadership Programme focuses on marginalised urban and rural communities across Northern Ireland. The programme employs a combination of detached and centre-based work and follows established youth work models (such as Brendtro’s Circle of Courage and Huskin’s progression model). These approaches aim to develop key life and social skills, create positive pathways to further education and employment, and facilitate participants to positively re-engage and contribute to local community life. The Youth Leadership Programme is delivered by professional youth workers, with support from peer mentors and trained facilitators in community development and conflict resolution work. Currently CoIre is looking to develop the programme further by strengthening their evaluation approaches, including through engagement with academic expertise, and exploring replication of their model in different community settings.

Contact details:

Brian O Caoindealbhain
Email: brianoc@cooperationireland.org