The important work by two youth work projects in Sligo and Leitrim of promoting Good Relations has been funded in recent years through the International Fund For Ireland. These projects have worked with young people aged 16-24 who were not in employment, education or training, a cohort often referred to as “NEETs” for short. The work with these young people was carried out by Foróige, through The YESS Project in Sligo, and by Youth Work Ireland North Connaught, through the New Beginnings Project in Leitrim.
Due to the good practice that was developed through the work of these projects, a related research element was carried out to identify and document the key messages from practice from both projects. These key messages are presented in a comprehensive report on the matter, which includes a review of the national and international evidence of what works best when engaging with young people not in employment, education or training. The key messages provide a roadmap for working with young people in those circumstances.
The research was funded by Sligo Leitrim Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) and managed by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB (MSLETB) on behalf of CYPSC. Trevor Sweetman, MSLETB Youth Officer for Sligo and Leitrim, represents MSLETB on CYPSC and is chairperson of its Economic Security and Opportunity Working Group. Speaking at a Live Event to disseminate the findings of the research on 9th March, Trevor said that “I know working that working with young people who are not in employment, education or training and promoting Good Relations are both hot topics and are of huge interest to young people.” The attendance at the Live event reflected this interest, with 95 people attending from across the country. Stars of the show at the Live Event were the young people who featured and anchored the report in the reality of young people’s lives. Young people who had participated in the projects acted as MC on the day, as well as sharing powerful testimonies of the impact that the projects have had on their lives.
Their stories and the many lessons from the work can be found in the published report, which is available below:
Good Relations Work in Sligo and Leitrim – Working with young people NEET 2022
For more information on this work, please contact [email protected].
