Services & Programmes

Ignite Community Programme

Empowering Young People to Drive Change

The Ignite Community Programme is a transformative initiative designed to empower young people across Northern Ireland and the Border Regions of Ireland (BRI). By supporting the development of essential skills, enhancing cross-community collaboration, and driving sustainable change, Ignite equips the next generation with the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

For Youth Organisations:

Funding & Support: Fully funded project with access to resources, toolkits, and materials—at no cost.
Capacity Building: Youth workers gain training in the YSI social innovation framework, enabling them to lead the programme in their own communities.
Collaboration Opportunities: Connect with other organisations to share advice, resources, and best practices.

For Young People:

Empowerment: Build confidence, community awareness, and the ability to create real-world change.
Skills for Life: Gain tools to tackle challenges with creativity and resilience.
Creative Exploration: Work with professional artists to use art as a tool for social change.

Features

Partnering with Young Social Innovators (YSI)

Through Ignite, young people gain access to lifelong skills in social innovation and use artistic expression to communicate their solutions, challenge narratives, and foster understanding across communities. Our Ignite Project Artists help participants explore and express their ideas dynamically.

The Ignite Vision

- To build an ecosystem where young people lead innovative solutions, promote social cohesion, and address inequalities across NI and BRI. - To embed lifelong skills and practices for equity, sustainability, and innovation in young people.

How Ignite Works

Phase 1: Introduction to Social Innovation – Explore examples of social innovation and challenges in communities. Phase 2: Designing for Change – Develop critical thinking, risk-taking, and problem-solving skills. Phase 3: Exploring Our Community – Use community mapping to identify assets and challenges. Phase 4: Ready, Steady, Innovate – Develop and present social innovation projects.

Statistics & Highlights

Social Justice

Emphasising fairness and human rights in every project.

Social Innovation

Co-creating solutions that strengthen community capabilities.

Sustainability

Addressing current needs without compromising future generations.

Social Cohesion

Promoting inclusivity and belonging.

Social Impact

Creating transformative change in communities.

Gallery

Be Part of the Change

Together, we can create a space where art and innovation intersect, empowering young people to address pressing social issues while building deeper cross-community connections. Ready to join us? Contact us today to find out more about the Ignite Community Programme.