An evaluation of the Youth in Action programme

The Rio Ferdinand Foundation (hereafter RFF) and the Union of European Football Associations (hereafter UEFA) are working together to deliver a pilot programme of youth empowerment and community cohesion, with a focus on tackling inequality and racism across the Island of Ireland. The Youth in Action programme will be implemented throughout 2021 and will include accredited leadership training, vocational training and skills and will support young people to deliver social action projects and events that promote equality and inclusion in their own communities. This project will act as pilot to inform further work in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland from 2022. The Youth in Action programme will use sport, and specifically football, to engage young people in positive activities. The project will also involve the wide range of associated careers and skills involved in the sports and football industries including coaching skills, media and broadcast training, event planning and campaigning to upskill and empower young people to deliver their own projects. All online workshops are run via closed zoom groups with RFF youth workers, arts practitioners and experienced industry professionals trained in digital safeguarding. The research will be an evaluation of the Youth in Action programme.