Welcome to the Ignite Community Programme
The Ignite Community Programme addresses critical social issues such as inequality, poverty and social fragmentation by building a network of young leaders committed to driving positive change through social innovation.
Cross-community and cross-border relationships will be strengthened by connecting vibrant ecosystems of young individuals who aspire to create lasting social impact by promoting social justice and championing community action across the region.
Our Commitment to Social Innovation
Our objectives:1. Empowering Young People – Helping young people better understand inequalities, shared values, and the unique strengths within their communities.
2. Shaping Positive Narratives - Creating new, transformative stories that inspire young people to connect within and beyond their communities, fostering collective action and breaking down harmful stereotypes.
3. Building Cross-Community Movements – Establishing networks of young people across Ireland who collaborate on social innovation, social justice, and social cohesion to reduce inequality and division.
4. Driving Local Innovation – Supporting young people in developing initiatives that bridge divides, reduce inequalities, and unite communities through positive shared narratives and partnerships.We will achieve these goals through youth-led, community-driven social innovation, built on authentic partnerships between young people and their communities.
Supported by SEUPB
The Ignite Community Programme is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland helping to foster peace and prosperity across the region.
Young Social Innovators
Young Social Innovators (YSI) is a non-profit organisation that empowers young people to use their talents, insights, passion and creativity to come up with innovative solutions to social challenges.For the past 21 years, our fun and engaging programmes have supported young people to create team-based social action projects, bringing positive social change for the benefit of people, communities and the environment.
Arts Care
Founded in 1991, Arts Care is a pioneering arts, health, and wellbeing charity that transforms healthcare environments across Northern Ireland.Arts Care's mission is to improve personal health and well-being through creative arts experiences, accessible to all. Through innovative arts programmes and projects, Arts Care is building a more connected, inspired, and well-supported community across Northern Ireland.
Donegal Youth Service
Donegal Youth Service is a countywide youth agency with over 30 affiliated youth clubs, and numerous projects which have been developed as a direct response to the needs of young people.Projects which support their mental, emotional and physical health, provide training and empower them to reach their own individual potential.
Kippie
Kippie is an award-winning social enterprise based in Derry-Londonderry dedicated to empowering young people through creative and tech-focused education.Kippie offers a variety of programs, including game development classes, animation workshops, kids’ review clubs, and free drop-in sessions for art, gaming, and learning. Their mission is to make technology and gaming accessible to all, with a focus on inclusivity and supporting underrepresented groups in the industry.
HAPANI
Established in 2011 by a group of dedicated volunteers, Horn of Africa People’s Aid Northern Ireland was formed in response to a clear demand for support for refugees, asylum seekers, individuals and families from HoA and beyond who are living in NI.With a focus on gender, social, and religious equality while providing effective, practical support to those in need, HAPANI aims to develop independent initiatives, raise awareness, challenge intolerance and expand resources for those who need it most.
WHAT’S SOCIAL INNOVATION?
Social innovation means brainstorming creative solutions to
solve social issues and then taking action to make a real impact!So what do we mean by ‘social issues’?
Put simply, social issues are problems that affect people’s lives; problems relating to where they live, how they do things, how they live together in the community etc.Social issues arise in our lives and communities for different reasons. For example, a social issue can come about when someone is treated unfairly; when people don’t have enough money; when a child doesn’t have access to school; when someone is not safe etc. It can also be about environmental issues like pollution or climate change.