Background
In 2014, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) published Value for money and policy review of youth programmes.2 It reviewed programmes targeting at-risk youth that share similar objectives and target similar groups of young people – including a focus on those living in areas characterised by problem drug use, educational disadvantage, criminal activity, unemployment, and homelessness. Preventing the onset of or reducing drug taking is a common focus of the programmes. While recognising the value of the programmes, the review called for their ‘significant reform’ (p. 10) and made a set of recommendations to this end.3 Since the review, work has been ongoing at DCYA to implement its recommendations. It undertook an extensive programme of work, including reviewing evidence and engaging stakeholders to inform the development of this single funding scheme: UBU Your Place Your Space.
UBU Your Place Your Space
Mission and vision
Mission: To provide out-of-school supports to young people in their local communities to enable them to overcome adverse circumstances and achieve their full potential by improving their personal and social development outcomes.
Vision: All young people are enabled to realise their maximum potential, by respecting their rights and hearing their voices, while protecting and supporting them as they transition from childhood to adulthood.
Values
- Young people are free to participate in a wide range of quality activities.
- Provision is rights based and young person-centred.
- Young people are empowered to reach their full potential.
- Relationship building is key.
- There is clarity of purpose.
- Projects are maximised by promoting efficiency and effectiveness.
Funding strands
- Strand A provides funding for the direct provision of youth services.
- Strand B provides funding to support the access of young people to existing youth facilities.
- Strand C provides funding for capacity building.
1 For more information on the scheme, visit the designated website: https://ubu.gov.ie/home
2 Department of Health (2017) Reducing harm, supporting recovery: a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017–2025. Dublin: Department of Health.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27603/
3 Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2014) Value for money and policy review of youth programmes. Dublin: Government Publications. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/23242/
