Welcome to NcompasS website

The NcompasS programme is a North/South initiative arising from a partnership between the British Council, the Youth Council for Northern Ireland and Léargas. It was initially funded for two years (August 2003-2005) by the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland (Measure 5.5).

Aims/Purpose

• To promote greater understanding, mutual respect and reconciliation between people of differing cultural traditions in Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland
• To develop partnerships within and between formal and non-formal education systems

In addition, it seeks to address issues of exclusion and social disadvantage experienced by young people in deprived rural and urban areas on both sides of the border.
Participation in the project is open to schools and youth organisations in Northern Ireland and counties Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan, Cavan and Sligo.

There are five key project activities as part of the NcompasS programme:

Joint Projects: schools and youth groups, ‘partnered’ on a cross-border basis, can each apply for funding (up to £2,000/2,800 Euros) for joint projects with the content based on a common curricular or non-curricular theme. The programme must address issues of identity and difference and use of ICT is encouraged. To date 28 projects have been approved.
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Innovative Projects: youth organizations and educational institutions can apply for funding (up to £10,000/15,000 Euros) for new and innovative projects that will promote cross border / cross community/ cross sectoral co-operation. The outcomes should be applicable to other groups and organizations and the use of ICT is encouraged. To date 5 projects have been approved. More >>

Training Course for Teachers & Youth Workers: ‘Managing Educational Exchange Programmes’ is a training course accredited (Level 3) by the NI Open College Network, and delivered by NcompasS, providing a qualification and practical application preparing teachers and youth workers to manage educational exchanges for young people. It takes place over 4 residential weekends (2 North/2 South) covering 4 units: Understanding Exchange Programmes, Intercultural Learning, Implementing Exchange Programmes and ICT & Exchange Programmes. Sixteen teachers & youth workers (12 South/4 North) have completed the course in 2003-04. Thirteen participants have enrolled for the course running 2004-05. More >>

Student Teacher/Youth Worker Placements: This initiative seeks to encourage greater structured links between both formal and non-formal educational systems and to promote understanding of the respective systems. A grant of 950 Euros per individual is available to educational institutions to cover the cost of placements on a cross-border basis of student teachers and youth workers from Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. The uptake In 2003-04 involved 10 student teachers (5 Stranmillis/5 Church of Ireland College of Education) In 2004-05, five Colleges involving 11 student teachers and 15 student Youth Worker placements are being supported. More >>

Job Shadowing/Short Study Visits: The aim of job shadowing is to support the professional development of workers in schools and youth organizations by offering opportunities for visits to workplaces and related organizations on a cross border basis. Grants of £525/725 Euros are available to cover accommodation and travel (but not substitute costs). NcompasS will also organize short study visits (2-3 days) in 2004-05 for groups of workers to cross border workplaces to address themes of relevance to their work. In April 2005 , a group of 16 members of the Youth Service from The North Eastern Education and Library Board ( NEELB) are carrying out a three day study visit to Dublin. They are meeting with innovative youth projects and services, the newly appointed Ombudsman for Children Ms Emily Logan, and visit Aras an Uachtarain as a guest of President Mrs Mary Mc Aleese. More >>

On this website you will find details on each of the NcompasS activities and how to apply for them. There is also information on the those who have been involved to date and the kinds of projects and level of funding made available.

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The NcompasS 'Guide to Good Practice for North South Activities' launched on Tuesday the 28th February at the Armagh City Hotel is a guide is based on the experiences and opinions of participants in NcompasS supported groups over the last two years.