The European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform Elisa Ferreira met participants in landmark youth and social inclusion projects, co-funded by the European Social Fund. Ms. Ferreira visited Ireland on 19 and 20 September 2022 for the launch of the Partnership Agreement (2021-27), which sets the cohesion funds investment priorities in Ireland for the next seven years.

Two of the projects included in the visit work to address poverty and social exclusion through innovative, locally-led approaches.

Walking tours build local employment

In Our Shoes Walking Tours is a responsible tourism initiative, training local unemployed people as walking tour guides. The walking tours are in one of Dublin’s most visited parts (the Liberties).  The tours are run by local people, who were supported by the project through outreach activities, training and help with setting and achieving personal goals.

Bee hives for social inclusion

The ‘Bee8’ project is Ireland’s largest beekeeping project, with 58 hives currently under management across a variety of city sites. It is community-centred, building the skills and confidence of local individuals through providing free training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups in the community.

Both projects are part of the longest standing social inclusion programme in Ireland, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), which supports disadvantaged communities and individuals – including unemployed people, those living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income, members of the Traveller and Roma community and other vulnerable groups. During the 2014 – 2020 programming period, SICAP supported 52 000 people toward social inclusion through innovative projects.

SICAP received the prestigious UN Award for Public Service during the COVID-19 pandemic for its efforts to reach groups for which remote contact was otherwise not possible. The SICAP programme has also been commended for its role in supporting ‘new’ communities – such as migrants, asylum seekers and `refugees, which could also include those fleeing Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Youthreach – second chances for school leavers

Commissioner Ferreira also visited two Youthreach centres.  This programme has 122 centres across the country, which are managed by Ireland’s education and training boards. The programme has received ESF funding since its launch in 1988.

Youthreach focuses on helping young early school leavers aged 15 to 20 years to make the transition from school to work. The centres provide up to two years integrated training, education and work experience and support students with a weekly allowance Youthreach places a strong emphasis on personal development, basic skills literacy, numeracy, communications and IT, along with a choice of vocational options and a work experience programme. Participants can benefit from a range of vocational courses such as woodwork, metalwork, cooking, art, computers, and developing basic maths, English and communications skills.

Thanks to the positive environment, Youthreach students have the opportunity to reach their full potential, gaining a national recognition for their innovation and leadership skills. During the 2014 – 2020 programming period, Youthreach provided 14 000 young people not in employment, education or training with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to participate fully in society and continue with further education, training and employment.

Youthreach Rush - the first of the three centres that opened 30 years ago, celebrates its anniversary with a high-level event on 22 September 2022. In a message to current and former students, the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit said: ‘I am very proud that the European Social Fund is helping to support this innovative programme in Ireland to help young people build their confidence, learn new skills and find their way. Here’s to the next 30 years!’.

Youthreach and SICAP will also feature in the new ESF+ Programme (2021-2027) for Ireland.