Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI)

During our second year of operation in Northern Ireland we will run in 10 schools across the country. Participating pupils work in teams to research the needs of their local community and identify the local social service charity they believe is best placed to address these needs. They then learn how to study the charity's management, budget, strategy and staffing arrangements. Pupils build relations with representatives from their chosen charity and, following skills training in investigation and public speaking present on the reasons their proposed charity is most deserving of support. The group judged to have made the most compelling presentation in each school wins a £3000 grant to award to their charity. During the process, pupils develop teamwork, communication and presentation skills.

Launched in 2002 in one school in Canada, YPI now takes place in schools in New York, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.