The Shona Project is an Irish non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and inspiring young women. It was founded in 2014 by Tammy Darcy in memory of her sister, Shona, who passed away at a young age after a long battle with illness. The organization’s creation was a deeply personal journey for Tammy, who experienced firsthand the struggles of growing up as a young woman in Ireland, grappling with issues of self-esteem, bullying, and body image.
Tammy's vision was to create a space that she wished had existed for her and her sister: a place where girls could find the support, resources, and community they needed to navigate the complexities of adolescence with confidence and resilience. The Shona Project's core philosophy is built on the belief that by educating, empowering, and celebrating girls, it can help them realize their full potential and positively shape their futures.
The project works on the principle of creating a supportive community and providing a platform for honest conversation. It understands that while the challenges of growing up can be immense, sharing experiences and learning from one another is a powerful tool for overcoming them. The organization's approach is highly practical and hands-on, leveraging a multi-faceted strategy that includes direct engagement through school programs, the distribution of educational materials, the hosting of large-scale events, and robust digital content. This comprehensive approach ensures that The Shona Project’s message of self-love and empowerment reaches girls in various settings, from the classroom to their own homes.
The Shona Project's work is channeled through several key initiatives, each designed to address a different aspect of a young woman's life.
At the heart of The Shona Project's direct engagement are its school workshops. These sessions are a cornerstone of their mission, allowing the team to travel across Ireland and interact directly with thousands of girls. The workshops are not formal lectures but are designed to be interactive and conversational, creating a safe and non-judgmental space for girls to discuss difficult topics. The curriculum for these workshops is meticulously crafted to address the most pressing issues identified by the girls themselves through the organization’s ongoing research.
The topics covered are extensive and highly relevant to modern adolescence. They include confidence-building, body image, social media literacy, navigating friendships, dealing with stress and anxiety, and understanding one’s own value. Facilitators use a mix of storytelling, group activities, and open dialogue to encourage girls to share their own experiences and build a sense of solidarity. The goal is to move beyond abstract concepts and provide practical tools that girls can use in their daily lives.
Feedback from both students and teachers highlights the impact of these sessions, with many noting a significant increase in a positive school atmosphere and a greater willingness among students to talk openly about their struggles. The power of these workshops lies in their ability to make girls feel seen and heard, creating an environment where they are not alone in their challenges.
Recognizing the difficult transition from primary to secondary school, The Shona Project created The Survival Handbook, a free, annual guide distributed to thousands of first-year secondary school students across the country. This handbook is much more than a simple guide; it's a lifeline designed to help girls navigate one of the most challenging periods of their lives.
The handbook is a treasure trove of practical advice, stories, and resources. It addresses topics such as making new friends, dealing with a more demanding academic workload, coping with social pressure, and understanding puberty and body changes. It also includes inspiring stories from older girls and successful women, providing tangible examples of resilience and achievement. The book is carefully designed to be non-preachy and relatable, presented in a magazine-style format with graphics and bright colors to make it appealing to its target audience. The distribution of this handbook on a wide scale ensures that even girls in schools that may not have the resources for a visit from The Shona Project team still have access to its valuable guidance and support.
The Shine Festival is arguably The Shona Project’s most visible and impactful large-scale event. It is an annual conference designed to inspire and empower transition-year girls by connecting them with a diverse range of female role models. The festival is a high-energy, celebratory event featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops on a wide variety of topics.
Speakers at the festival range from successful businesswomen and athletes to artists, activists, and health professionals. The aim is to present a multifaceted view of what it means to be a woman today, showing girls that there is no single path to success or happiness. The festival is not just about career inspiration; it also covers important issues like mental health, self-care, body positivity, and finding one’s voice. Since its inception, the Shine Festival has grown exponentially, drawing thousands of attendees and also reaching a broader audience through online live streams. It serves as a powerful reminder for girls that they are part of a larger community of strong and ambitious women who are ready to support them.
To extend its reach and foster youth leadership, The Shona Project developed the Junior Ambassador Programme. This initiative invites schools to nominate students to become leaders who can champion the organization’s values within their own school communities. These young ambassadors are provided with training and resources to help them create a more positive and inclusive environment for their peers. The program empowers girls to take ownership of their own school culture, becoming peer mentors, organizers of school events, and advocates for change. This not only benefits their schools but also provides the ambassadors with invaluable leadership experience and a deeper sense of purpose.
The Shona Project is committed to being a data-driven organization. It regularly conducts national surveys to capture the lived experiences of young women in Ireland. This research is critical for several reasons. First, it helps the organization stay relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of its audience. The data from these surveys informs the content of their workshops and handbooks, ensuring that the topics they address are the ones that are truly on the minds of young people.
Second, the research serves as a powerful advocacy tool. The detailed reports from these surveys provide concrete evidence of the challenges girls face, from the pressures of social media to the prevalence of anxiety and body image issues. The Shona Project uses this data to lobby policymakers, educators, and parents, highlighting the urgent need for greater support and resources for young women. By amplifying the voices of girls, the organization ensures that their experiences are not just heard but are central to the conversations about mental health, education, and social policy in Ireland.
The Shona Project has been widely recognized for its innovative and impactful work. It has received numerous awards, including a Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Impact Award. These accolades are a testament to the organization's success in creating a positive and lasting change in the lives of thousands of young women.
In conclusion, The Shona Project is a dynamic and essential force in Ireland. It has built a legacy on the foundation of empathy and sisterhood, transforming a personal tragedy into a national movement. Through its school workshops, handbooks, festivals, and advocacy, it is actively building a generation of strong, resilient, and confident young women. The organization’s work is a powerful reminder that with the right support, community, and guidance, girls can overcome any obstacle and achieve their dreams.
